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GJA celebrates Ghana’s rise in global press freedom rankings
The Ghana Journalists Association ( GJA) has praised Ghana’s improved performance in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index as the country marked this year’s World Press Freedom Day.
In a statement issued on May 3, the Association said Ghana moved from 52nd to 39th position globally and ranked 4th in Africa in the latest index published by Reporters Without Borders.
The GJA described the achievement as a reflection of improvements across key indicators used in assessing press freedom around the world.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day was observed under the theme “Shaping a Future at Peace.”
The Association commended journalists, editors, media owners, civil society organisations, regulators and development partners for their efforts in promoting press freedom and responsible journalism in the country.
According to the GJA, the progress recorded demonstrates the impact of sustained advocacy and cooperation among stakeholders in Ghana’s media landscape.
The Association also praised the government and international partners for supporting efforts aimed at protecting media freedom and improving conditions for journalists.
It particularly commended President John Dramani Mahama, whom it described as a proud member of the Association, for his role in supporting improvements in Ghana’s press freedom ranking.
Despite the gains, the GJA said more work remains to be done to address issues such as journalist safety, media sustainability and legal reforms.
The Association called on the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Police Service to ensure that attacks against journalists are properly investigated and perpetrators punished.
It urged authorities to review laws, including parts of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008, which it said are sometimes used to intimidate journalists.
GJA President Albert Dwumfour reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to defending press freedom and promoting professionalism within the media.
“We will continue to speak truth to power, challenge injustices and hold duty-bearers accountable without fear or favour,” he stated.
The Association announced that it will organise a national event later this month to commemorate World Press Freedom Day and honour individuals and institutions that have contributed to media development in Ghana.
Meanwhile, Mr. Dwumfour is leading a delegation to Paris to participate in the centenary congress of the International Federation of Journalists from May 4 to May 7, 2026.
The congress is expected to bring together more than 300 journalists’ unions and associations from around the world to discuss issues affecting the future of journalism, including artificial intelligence, safety, youth participation, gender equality and media sustainability.
By: Jacob Aggrey
A 29-year-old tricycle rider, Naah Mashood, has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a three-year-old girl at Tiegber in the Wa Municipality.
The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Upper West Regional Police Command arrested the suspect on February 24, 2026, following a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother.
According to police, the convict, who had been contracted by the parents to pick the victim to and from school, lured her to an isolated location on February 23, 2026, and sexually assaulted her inside his tricycle, popularly known as ‘Camboo’.
After thorough investigations, he was arraigned before the Wa District Magistrate Court and subsequently stood trial at the Wa High Court.
On October 30, 2026, His Lordship Justice Osei-Wusu found him guilty of defilement and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour.
The Upper West Regional Police Command has commended the officers involved in the investigation and prosecution, as well as all persons who contributed to ensuring justice was served.
The Command urged parents and guardians to keep a close eye on their children and ensure their safety at all times, and encouraged the public to report suspected cases of child abuse and defilement to the nearest police station or DOVVSU office for prompt action.
It further assured the public of its commitment to protecting children and ensuring perpetrators of sexual offences are brought to justice.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has announced the arrest of three suspected members of a criminal syndicate believed to be behind a series of robberies targeting bank customers in Kumasi and its environs.
On October 31, 2026, at about 11:30 pm, an IGP’s Special Team, comprising personnel from the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit of the CID Headquarters and the Accra Regional Police Intelligence Directorate (PID), acting on intelligence, embarked on an operation to apprehend the suspects.
The operation led to the arrest of two Nigerian nationals, Aboy Promise, 30, and Favour Uwalaka, 45, at a hotel at Moshie Zongo. A search of their rooms resulted in the recovery of GH¢1,600.00, assorted mobile phones, a Royal motorbike and a master key used to gain unauthorized access to victims’ vehicles to steal cash.
During interrogation, the suspects admitted their involvement in the robberies and mentioned two accomplices, Chinedu, alias Alhaji, and Kingsley, alias KC.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the syndicate monitored banking premises, identified customers who withdrew substantial sums of money and trailed them before attacking and robbing them. They also broke into unattended vehicles belonging to bank customers using a master key to steal cash kept inside.
The suspects subsequently led the police team to another hotel at Dechemso, a suburb of Kumasi, where Kingsley, alias KC, 35, also a Nigerian national, was arrested.
The remaining accomplice, Chinedu, alias Alhaji, is currently on the run. The Command is appealing to the public to volunteer credible information that could lead to his arrest. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to report to the nearest police station or contact the police through emergency numbers 191, 112 or the toll-free MTN and Telecel line 18555.
The suspects admitted to robbing a victim of GH¢15,000.00 at Asokore Mampong on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, after the victim had withdrawn money from Kwamang Rural Bank. They also admitted to similar robberies at the Atonsu branch of Fidelity Bank, the Ahodwo branch of Access Bank and other locations within Kumasi and its environs.
The three arrested suspects have since been handed over to the Ashanti Regional Police Command and are assisting with investigations.
The Command has cautioned bank customers to remain vigilant, be alert to suspicious persons around banking premises and avoid leaving cash or other valuables unattended in vehicles, while commending the public for their continued cooperation and assuring residents of its commitment to combating robbery and other criminal activities in the region.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
