The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has renewed calls for stronger safety measures for journalists following Thursday’s road accident involving reporters covering an anti-galamsey operation in the Ashanti Region.
The incident occurred at Dadwene near Afari, when a vehicle carrying five journalists and three Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials overturned while returning from an illegal mining monitoring exercise around Obuasi.
In a statement signed by Regional Chairman Kofi Adu Domfeh, the GJA described the event as a reminder of the “inherent risks” journalists face in the line of duty and urged all institutions to prioritise safety when deploying media teams for high-risk assignments.
“The safety, welfare, and protection of journalists remain paramount to the GJA, and this unfortunate incident underscores the inherent risks associated with the critical work our members undertake in pursuit of public interest,” the statement said.
It added that the Association is engaging relevant authorities to ensure the affected journalists receive proper medical and emotional support.
“As journalists continue to play their watchdog role in bringing national attention to environmental and social challenges, it is imperative that their safety is given topmost priority,” the GJA stressed.
