The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has strongly condemned the brutal assault on three journalists in the Western Region by illegal small-scale miners, commonly known as galamsey operators.
The incident occurred on February 21, 2025, in the Breman-Adomanya forest, where the journalists were reporting on the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining activities.
According to Mr. Dwumfour, the assailants not only inflicted severe physical harm but also damaged the journalists’ equipment during the attack.
Describing the assault as “barbaric,” the GJA President called for swift and satisfactory justice for the victims.
He lamented the apparent disregard for the safety of journalists, despite their critical role in the national fight against illegal mining.
“It is unfortunate and indeed regrettable that in spite of the crucial role journalists and media practitioners are playing in the fight against galamsey, our welfare does not seem to be a priority to the authorities,” he stated.
Mr. Dwumfour noted that while the government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, has rolled out several interventions to curb illegal mining, the media has been excluded from these efforts, leaving journalists vulnerable.
“We regret to note that the media is missing in these interventions, which makes us more gullible and exposed to severe risk,” he added.
He noted that the Association plans to formally engage the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to express its concerns.
Additionally, Mr. Dwumfour stated that the Association intends to consult with the Ghana Police Service, particularly the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), to understand what measures are being taken to ensure the safety of journalists reporting from high-risk areas such as galamsey sites.