Resume campaign against ‘Galamsey’ – GJA Prez charges the media

Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has called on the media to renew the campaign against illegal mining known locally as ‘Galamsey’.

He also called on authorities to take action to augment the work of the media to overcome the degradation of the environment due to Galamsey.

Mr. Dwumfour made the remarks at the World Press Freedom Day national event in Koforidua.

Ghana’s standing in the World Press Freedom Index has improved from 62 to 50 globally.

In Africa, Ghana’s press freedom standing has moved from the previous eighth position to sixth on the continent.

According to the national president of GJA, the progress is a result of GJA’s “decisive action” taken to combat attacks on journalists.

While he acknowledged the improved press freedom standings of Ghana, Mr. Dwumfour pointed out recent attacks on media houses, and media practitioners “demand swift investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators.”

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“I wish to call on the media to resume the concerted campaign against the illegal small-scale mining popularly known as galamsey. In the past, our collective action in the fight against galamsey yielded positive results as we brought the issues to national attention for action.

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“But for the retrogression in action by duty bearers, sanity would have prevailed and our land and water bodies would have been healed by now.”

He continued, “The notwithstanding withdrawing from our duty as we have done now, is more harmful to the nation.”

“We need to hammer it because it appears the evil doers are not tired and they keep coming at us with more venom. It is in a respect that the GJA unreservedly condemns the recent petro-bomb attack on Class FM of Class Media Group.”

“That was clearly a terror attack and it’s a shame that Ghana is fast degenerating into such an act of barbarism,” said Mr. Dwumfour.

Meanwhile, the President urged the Police and security agencies to expedite the investigation into the petrol bombing attack and prosecute the perpetrators.

According to him, the failure of the security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators of media attacks would embolden others to perpetrate such acts.

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