Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has voiced serious concerns regarding the safety of journalists in Ghana and the insufficient political commitment to uphold laws designed to protect them from abuse.

Awuni pointed out that while journalists globally face criticism, the crucial difference lies in the fact that political leaders in other countries actively work to safeguard journalists from mistreatment.

He emphasised the need for greater political will in Ghana to ensure that the rights and safety of journalists are effectively protected.

“Journalists would always come under attack everywhere in the world. What we should be asking for or demanding is that those threats and those attacks should never go unpunished.

“Once you allow these things to go unpunished, then you are unencouraging those who attack or threaten journalists,” he said whilst contributing to JoyNews’ Defend Media Freedom on August 29.

Mr Awuni stressed that the focus should be on ensuring that those who perpetrate such attacks face justice.

His comments come at a critical time when concerns about press freedom in Ghana are escalating.

Despite being recognised as one of the more stable democracies in Africa, Ghana has witnessed a series of alarming incidents where journalists have been threatened, harassed, and even attacked, often with little to no legal repercussions for the perpetrators.

Mr Awuni’s remarks draw attention to a gap in the enforcement of existing laws designed to protect journalists.

While Ghana’s constitution guarantees freedom of the press, the reality on the ground often contradicts this ideal.

There are numerous instances where journalists, especially those investigating corruption or other sensitive issues, have faced intimidation, both subtle and overt, without sufficient action being taken by the authorities.

The investigative journalist’s plea is not just a call for the protection of media personnel but a broader appeal for the defence of democracy itself.

In his view, when attacks on journalists go unpunished, it signals a breakdown in the rule of law and emboldens those who seek to undermine free expression and accountability.