The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has condemned attacks on three journalists covering illegal mining activities also known as ‘galamsey’ in the Western Region on February 21, 2025.
Theophilus Akwasi Agyei Annim of Citi FM / Channel One TV, Henry Emil Fynn of Angel TV and Jacob Adu-Baah of ABC News / Rok FM were said to have suffered from bodily injuries as a result of the assault.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Thursday, GJA President, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, said one person had been arrested and currently being prosecuted at Asankragwa District Court.
“This attack is barbaric and we condemn it in no uncertain terms. We understand that one suspect has been arrested and is currently facing trial at Asankragwa,” Mr Dwumfour mentioned.
The GJA boss told journalists that the assailants also destroyed the equipment of the journalists and that money had been given to the police at Asankragwa to cover the cost of the damaged equipment.
“We also understand that some money has been lodged with the Police at Asankragwa covering the cost of the equipment damaged and that the court has ordered the said money be given to the journalists to replace their damaged equipment and enable them to get back to work,” he stated.
While demanding full justice for the three journalists, the GJA President asked the police and also noted that the court must ensure the accused face the full rigors of the law and that the victims were adequately compensated.
Additionally, Mr Dwumfour is asking that the case be transferred from Asankragwa to Sekondi, the regional capital, in order to enable the victims to participate in the court proceedings.
Given the poise of the galamsey operators to cause more harm, Mr Dwumfour emphasized that it was not advisable for the victims to be going to Asankragwa for court sittings.
He suggested the police at Asankragwa find a way of transferring the money lodged with them to the victims without the journalists travelling to Asankragwa to collect the money since their safety and security cannot be guaranteed.
Furthermore, Mr Dwumfour commended the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for its statement on the attacks on the journalists and its assurance of working to check illegal mining and support for journalists to continue shedding light on the illegal mining activities.
‘We, however, entreat the Ministry not to relent on its efforts to ending galamsey as the GJA will be monitoring its actions and inactions towards the fight,” Mr Dwumfour urged.
Still on galamsey related issues, Mr Dwumfour said the GJA was committed to the fight against the canker of illegal mining.
The GJA President said he was worried that forest reserves, water bodies and farmlands were being destroyed and degraded with reckless abandon, all in the name of gold mining.
In the mining communities, Mr Dwumfour noted that law and order were crumbling under the weight of impunity, with associated human rights abuses, adverse and forced possession of individual lands and farms while the decentralised administrative arms of government and traditional authorities seem to be helpless.
Turning his attention to assurances given by President John Dramani Mahama to fight illegal mining, the GJA President stressed that those assurances were welcomed, but urged the President to honour his promise.
“We welcome the assurances and commitment of President Mahama towards the fight against galamsey and it is our prayer that he will not relent or give up but honour his promise of stopping the illegal mining in the country,” Mr Dwumfour emphasised.
He said President Mahama could count on the full support of the GJA and the Media Coalition in ending the life threatening canker.
“Mr President, the time to act is NOW!!!
We reiterate our condemnation of all illegal mining activities and demand for urgent steps to be taken to tackle the issues head-on. There should be strict enforcement of all mining laws and regulations without any concessions, as well as the imposition of maximum sentences on offenders. This is a reliable approach to addressing this issue,” Mr Dwumfour added.
“The GJA urges the media to continue to bring the galamsey issue to the fore until the menace is eliminated. As indicated in previous press conferences, we will not stop highlighting the issues until Galamsey stops. #STOP GALAMSEY NOW!”
