The Overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has granted permission to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to host its awards ceremony in Kumasi, Manhyia, for the first time.

For about three decades, since the Association began its award ceremony, Accra has always been the host city, until this year’s edition, which has been announced to be held in Kumasi.

Speaking during GJA’s courtesy call to President John Dramani Mahama on Friday, September 5, Mr Albert Dwumfuor, the Association’s president, announced the change in venue for the awards ceremony, saying that,

“The GJA award has been held in Accra for 28 years. This year, after consultations with key stakeholders, we have decided to move it to Kumasi, and I am excited to inform you that His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has agreed to host the ceremony at Manhyia.”

He explained that the move is to ensure decentralisation in their operations and recognise the contributions of regional chapters like Ashanti.

“We must empower journalists in every region, not just Accra,” he added.

In a major milestone, Mr Dwumfour revealed that, for the first time, the award will honour the efforts of institutions and organisations that work to support and protect the welfare of journalists.

While past awards have focused primarily on individual journalists and media houses, this year’s ceremony expands the scope to honour advocacy groups, watchdog organisations, and institutions that have played a vital role in defending media rights and supporting journalistic integrity.

“The awards not only provide a platform to recognise individuals and companies that play a significant role in the growth and development of the industry but also recognise organisations that contribute significantly to the growth and sustainability of the media industry,” he revealed.

In light of media protection, the GJA president reminded the president to uphold his promise to ensure the safety and sustainability of the media in Ghana.

His remarks followed a reminder from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, who urged President Mahama to fulfil his campaign promise of protecting and Dwumfour appealed to the president to take concrete steps to end assaults on media professionals.

“Unwarranted attacks on journalists must end. We call on you to ensure that perpetrators of violence against media personnel are held accountable,” he stressed.

During a media engagement on August 16, 2024, then-presidential candidate Mahama had pledged to journalists that, once in office, his government would protect media freedom and ensure their safety.

“The best thing you can give the media is to give them the freedom to do their work. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened under this government. Media people have been hounded, some have run into exile, some have been threatened, their lives have been threatened, and indeed some have paid the ultimate price like Ahmed Suale did,” he said.

He continued with a personal pledge:“You can trust that as a person who is a member of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) myself, I am not the kind of person who would hound the media, and so one gift I can give to you is the freedom to do your work without anybody intimidating and harassing you.”

Consequently, Mr. Dwumfour urged President Mahama to exercise his executive powers by enacting stronger laws to empower security agencies to protect journalists. According to him, attacks on journalists are often premeditated, making them aggravated offences that require tougher punishment.

“Your Excellency, we encourage you to invoke your executive powers to enact a law to empower security agencies to protect journalists. Since most of these attacks are premeditated, they must be treated as aggravated offences. If we continue to treat them as misdemeanours, it will not serve as a deterrent,” he noted.

The government also promised relief to victims of electoral violence, particularly those who suffered attacks during the 2020 and 2024 elections.

President John Dramani Mahama, at the same event, revealed that he has received a report from the Ghana Police Service containing records of all victims of electoral violence. He stated that after a thorough review of the report, victims would be duly compensated.

Additionally, President Mahama assured that the compensation package would also cover journalists who, over the years, have suffered repeated attacks during elections.

“...And so once that is done, I’m sure that if there were journalists involved, they would also be considered for compensation,” he added.

About GJA awards

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is the mother organisation for all journalists in Ghana. Since its establishment in 1949, the focus has been on media advocacy.

GJA stands for freedom of the press, ensuring the protection of the rights of journalists and freedom of expression. While checking this, it keeps journalists in check to ensure strict adherence to journalistic ethics through seminars, training and the Code of Ethics

Professional Standards: It promotes ethical journalism through training, seminars, and its Code of Ethics, adopted in 1994. GJA also bring together journalists for the promotion of peace and unity within the media industry.

It also stands up against attacks on journalists, including high-profile cases like that of Joy News Latuf Iddrisu and CitiFM/YV Caleb Kudah in 2021 by national security operatives.

It launched the “See Something, Say Something to a Journalist” campaign to encourage citizens to report suspicious activities to journalists, supporting national security efforts.