Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s Call for Media Courage at GJA Awards 2025: Role in Fighting Galamsey and Protecting Ghana’s Future

In a stirring address at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie challenged the media to prioritize truth, sacrifice, and national interest over convenience. Delivered amid discussions on illegal mining (galamsey) and environmental protection, his words highlight the vital role of journalism in Ghana’s democracy.

Introduction

The 29th GJA Awards, held on November 8, 2025, at the historic Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, spotlighted the theme “Safeguarding Ghana’s Future: The Role of the Media in Promoting Peace, Security, and the Fight Against Galamsey.” Acting Chief Justice Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, serving in this capacity, used the platform to deliver a compelling message to journalists, media owners, and dignitaries. He equated the demands of journalism to those of the judiciary, emphasizing sacrifice, unwavering commitment, and courage in reporting uncomfortable truths.

This event underscores the media’s pivotal function in holding power accountable, especially in tackling galamsey—a pervasive illegal small-scale gold mining activity that devastates Ghana’s water bodies, forests, and farmlands. By linking journalistic integrity to environmental stewardship, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie positioned the press as a cornerstone for Ghana’s long-term prosperity.

Analysis

Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s speech dissected the essence of journalism in contemporary Ghana, where media practitioners face political pressures, physical threats, and ethical dilemmas. His address was not mere rhetoric but a pedagogical blueprint for ethical reporting.

Core Values of Journalism: Sacrifice and Steadfastness

He asserted that journalism, like the judiciary, is “not a career of convenience, but one of service, sacrifice, and stability.” This comparison draws from verifiable principles in journalistic ethics, such as those outlined in the GJA Code of Ethics, which mandates accuracy, fairness, and public interest. In Ghana, where galamsey has polluted over 60% of major rivers according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports, journalists investigating these issues often endure hardships, mirroring judicial impartiality under pressure.

From Words to Action: Catalyzing National Change

The Acting Chief Justice urged the media to transcend criticism and inspire civic action. He envisioned newsrooms as “sanctuaries of truth,” cameras as “mirrors of conscience,” and microphones as “trumpets for peace.” This call aligns with global journalism standards, like those from the Society of Professional Journalists, stressing that reporting must drive societal improvement, particularly in environmental crises like galamsey, which contributes to 35% of Ghana’s mercury pollution per World Health Organization data.

Environmental Linkage: Rivers as National Barometers

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie highlighted rivers Pra, Densu, and Ankobra—severely impacted by galamsey—as symbols of Ghana’s moral health. EPA studies confirm these waterways suffer from heavy metal contamination, affecting millions reliant on them for drinking, fishing, and irrigation. His plea for media-led protection ties directly to national security, as water scarcity exacerbates conflicts.

Summary

At the 29th GJA Awards themed around media’s role in peace, security, and anti-galamsey efforts, Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie implored journalists to embody courage and sacrifice. He warned against superficial reporting, advocating for action-oriented journalism that safeguards Ghana’s environment and democracy. Referencing polluted rivers, he linked media accountability to the nation’s future vitality.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For journalists and media houses inspired by Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s words, here is actionable guidance rooted in established practices.

Enhancing Investigative Reporting on Galamsey

Adopt collaborative fact-checking with NGOs like Greenpeace Africa or the EPA. Use satellite imagery from sources like Global Forest Watch to verify mining sites, ensuring reports are verifiable and impactful. Train in data journalism to quantify galamsey’s effects, such as the 2023 EPA report noting 2.5 million Ghanaians at risk from polluted water.

Building Peace-Oriented Platforms

Incorporate community dialogues in coverage, as recommended by UNESCO’s media peacebuilding guidelines. Develop multimedia campaigns highlighting restoration successes, like the Pra River clean-up initiatives by local authorities, to inspire action over alarmism.

Fostering Newsroom Integrity

Implement internal ethics audits per GJA standards. Encourage cross-verification protocols to combat misinformation, vital in galamsey debates where vested interests spread falsehoods.

Points of Caution

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie acknowledged the perils of fearless journalism, a reality backed by Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) data showing Ghana journalists face assaults and legal harassment.

Physical and Political Threats

Investigative reporters on galamsey often encounter violence from miners, as documented in 2024 Media Foundation for West Africa reports. Prioritize safety protocols like anonymous sourcing and secure communication tools.

Ethical Pitfalls

Avoid sensationalism that could incite unrest; balance criticism with solutions. In an election year context, beware of partisan bias eroding public trust, per Reuters Institute surveys on African media credibility.

Sustainability Challenges

Media houses must address financial pressures leading to compromised reporting. Diversify revenue without advertiser influence on galamsey coverage.

Comparison

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie drew parallels between journalism and the judiciary, both pillars of democracy requiring impartiality.

Similarities in Ethical Demands

Like judges bound by oaths of fairness, journalists adhere to codes demanding truth over convenience. Both face threats: judiciary from powerful litigants, media from galamsey operators, per Ghana Bar Association and GJA records.

Differences in Operations

Judges operate in controlled courtrooms with legal protections under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution Article 125; journalists work in open fields, relying on press freedom (Article 162-164). Yet, both sustain accountability—judiciary through rulings, media through exposure, as seen in landmark galamsey convictions following media probes.

Mutual Reinforcement

Media amplifies judicial outcomes, while courts protect reporters via defamation laws, fostering synergy against corruption.

Legal Implications

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s speech intersects with Ghanaian law, where press freedom is enshrined in the 1992 Constitution (Articles 162-165), guaranteeing media independence. However, reporting on galamsey invokes environmental statutes like the Environmental Protection Agency Act (1994) and Minerals and Mining Act (2006), criminalizing illegal mining with penalties up to 15 years imprisonment.

Journalists enjoy qualified privilege in defamation suits if acting in public interest, per Supreme Court precedents like the New Patriotic Party v. Inspector-General of Police case. Yet, the Right to Information Act (2019) aids access to galamsey data, while Cybercrime Act (2020) cautions against false reporting. His call reinforces legal duties to promote peace under Article 21(1)(f), avoiding hate speech that could undermine security.

Conclusion

Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie’s address at the 29th GJA Awards serves as a clarion call for Ghanaian media to harness courage and integrity against galamsey, ensuring rivers like Pra, Densu, and Ankobra flow clean for future generations. By transforming words into action, journalists can secure peace, bolster security, and safeguard Ghana’s long-term future. This pedagogical moment reminds all that ethical journalism is indispensable to democratic health and environmental resilience.

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