GJA Demands Urgent Police Briefing on Assaults Against Reporters and Anti-Galamsey Officers in Ghana

Introduction

In a bold call for accountability, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has urged the Ghana Police Service to provide a public briefing on investigations into recent assaults targeting reporters and anti-galamsey officers. This demand, voiced by GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor at the 29th GJA Media Awards in Kumasi, highlights escalating violence amid Ghana’s fight against illegal small-scale mining, known locally as galamsey. These attacks not only threaten press freedom but also undermine efforts to protect Ghana’s environment from galamsey’s devastating impacts, such as river pollution and deforestation.

Understanding this GJA police briefing call is crucial for grasping the intersection of journalism, law enforcement, and environmental enforcement in Ghana. This article explores the incidents, GJA’s stance, and broader implications for media safety and anti-galamsey operations.

Analysis

The GJA’s demand for a police briefing stems from a pattern of violent incidents against journalists covering galamsey and officers enforcing anti-illegal mining laws. President Dwumfuor specifically requested that Inspector General of Police (IGP) update the nation within the coming week on investigation progress, arrests, and prosecutions.

What is Galamsey and Why Does It Matter?

Galamsey refers to illegal small-scale gold mining in Ghana, often using rudimentary methods that cause severe environmental damage. It pollutes water bodies with mercury and chemicals, destroys forests, and displaces communities. According to reports from Ghana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), galamsey operators frequently resort to violence when enforcement teams intervene, escalating risks for both officials and reporters documenting these activities.

Recent Assaults on Reporters and Anti-Galamsey Officers

Dwumfuor referenced EPA briefings detailing attacks where galamsey operators, supported by armed individuals in uniforms mimicking Criminal Investigation Department (CID) badges, fired heavy weapons at enforcement teams. A notable incident involved the head of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Secretariat (NAIMOS), which GJA condemned as a “cowardly assault” and direct challenge to state authority and the rule of law.

GJA’s Role in Advocating for Justice

As Ghana’s premier body for journalists, the GJA champions press freedom and ethical reporting. At the awards themed “Safeguarding Ghana’s Future: The Role of the Media in Promoting Peace, Security and the Fight Against Galamsey,” Dwumfuor emphasized media’s duty to address national challenges like environmental degradation, reaffirming GJA’s commitment to justice and responsible journalism.

Summary

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has formally called for a Ghana Police Service briefing on assaults against reporters and anti-galamsey officers, following violent clashes linked to illegal mining operations. Speaking at the 29th GJA Media Awards in Kumasi, President Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor demanded swift investigations and prosecutions by the Inspector General of Police. Key triggers include EPA-reported attacks by armed galamsey enforcers and the assault on the NAIMOS head, underscoring threats to media freedom and environmental protection efforts in Ghana.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For journalists and anti-galamsey officers in Ghana facing heightened risks, practical steps can enhance safety while fulfilling duties. Always coordinate with local police before entering galamsey hotspots, as emphasized in GJA guidelines for field reporting.

Safety Protocols for Reporters

Travel in groups, use protective gear, and live-stream operations for accountability. Share itineraries with GJA or media houses and verify uniforms of intervening forces to avoid impersonators. Post-incident, document assaults immediately with photos, videos, and witness statements to aid police investigations.

Guidance for Enforcement Officers

EPA and NAIMOS teams should employ drone surveillance for initial assessments, minimizing direct confrontations. Collaborate with military anti-galamsey task forces for armed support. Report threats promptly to the Ghana Police Service to build cases for prosecution.

Community and Media Engagement

Educate locals on galamsey dangers through town halls, empowering citizens to report illegal sites via hotlines like the EPA’s. Media outlets can amplify GJA’s call for police briefings by petitioning authorities publicly.

Points of Caution

Engaging with galamsey zones demands vigilance due to organized resistance. Armed groups often use sophisticated tactics, including fake uniforms, posing risks of mistaken identity or ambushes. Journalists must avoid solo ventures, as isolation increases vulnerability.

Environmental enforcement faces retaliation, with attacks eroding public trust in institutions. Over-reliance on verbal warnings without backups can escalate violence. Finally, sensational reporting without verification may incite further unrest, underscoring GJA’s push for balanced, impactful journalism.

Comparison

This GJA demand mirrors previous advocacy, such as 2023 calls after assaults on journalists in the Ashanti Region during galamsey raids. Unlike isolated incidents, current attacks show coordination, with EPA-noted involvement of uniformed assailants—rarer in earlier cases limited to local mobs.

Globally, assaults on reporters in environmental stories parallel Brazil’s Amazon deforestation conflicts or the Philippines’ anti-mining violence, where media faced similar threats. In Ghana, however, the GJA’s structured response via awards platforms distinguishes it, fostering sustained pressure unlike ad-hoc protests elsewhere.

Legal Implications

Assaults on reporters and public officers in Ghana violate Section 69 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), prescribing up to 10 years imprisonment for assaults on peace officers. Threats or attacks on journalists invoke the Whistleblower Act, 2006 (Act 720), protecting those exposing illegal activities like galamsey.

Galamsey itself contravenes the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), with penalties including fines and equipment seizures. Impersonating police (fake CID uniforms) falls under Section 178 of the Criminal Offences Act, carrying severe sentences. The GJA’s call aligns with constitutional press freedom under Article 162, compelling police to investigate transparently and prosecute to uphold rule of law.

Conclusion

The GJA’s urgent call for a police briefing on assaults against reporters and anti-galamsey officers underscores a critical juncture in Ghana’s battle against illegal mining. By demanding accountability from the Inspector General of Police, the association reinforces media’s pivotal role in safeguarding peace, security, and the environment. As the 29th GJA Media Awards theme illustrates, courageous journalism drives national progress. Swift action on these investigations will deter future violence, protect frontline workers, and advance sustainable development. Stakeholders must unite to ensure justice prevails, securing Ghana’s future from galamsey’s grip.

FAQ

Sources

• Life Pulse Daily: “GJA calls for police briefing on assaults in opposition to reporters and anti-galamsey officers” (Published November 8, 2025).
• Ghana Journalists Association official statements from the 29th GJA Media Awards, Kumasi.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ghana reports on galamsey enforcement.
• Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703); Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
• Constitution of Ghana, 1992 (Article 162 on freedom of the press).

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