The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has called on journalists to uphold professional standards, warning that the credibility of the media cannot be defended if practitioners themselves fail to protect the values that sustain public trust.
According to him, press freedom must be matched by responsibility, professionalism and adherence to ethical standards if journalism is to retain its relevance in Ghana’s democratic development.
Mr Dwumfour made the remarks on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the GJA’s 77th anniversary symposium and lecture, where he reflected on the association’s role in strengthening journalism and protecting media freedom in Ghana.
He said while journalists should expect the GJA to provide professional support, guidance and protection when they face threats in the legitimate discharge of their duties, practitioners must equally uphold the standards expected of the profession.
“The association cannot defend the credibility of journalism if journalists themselves are unwilling to uphold the standards that make that credibility possible,” he said.
Mr Dwumfour also used the anniversary to emphasise the responsibility of the association’s leadership to preserve the institution for future generations.
He described GJA leaders as custodians rather than owners of the association, noting that they had inherited an institution built through years of sacrifice, advocacy and commitment to journalism.
“Our duty is to strengthen what we inherited and leave an even stronger association for those who will come after us,” he said.
The GJA President said the association had over the years played a key role in Ghana’s media development and in advocating for an environment in which journalists could work without fear, intimidation or undue interference.
He noted that the GJA had engaged successive governments, state institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and media organisations in efforts to strengthen the profession and improve the working environment for journalists.
He cited training programmes, workshops, conferences and stakeholder engagements among initiatives undertaken by the association to build the capacity of journalists across the country.
Mr Dwumfour further said the GJA had consistently condemned attacks against media practitioners and engaged relevant authorities whenever the safety and freedom of journalists had come under threat.
“We have spoken against attacks on media practitioners and engaged relevant authorities whenever the safety and freedom of journalists have been threatened. And that has reflected in our current position on the World Press Freedom Index.”
He stressed that the protection of press freedom could not be separated from professional responsibility, urging journalists to recognise that credibility remained fundamental to the survival and public relevance of the media.
