The safety of journalists in Ghana is under siege, and the situation is more dire than ever. Bold headlines aside, the numbers don’t lie: Ghana’s ranking on the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Index has slipped from 50th in 2024 to 52nd in 2025, raising alarms among media and security stakeholders. But here’s where it gets even more concerning—the decline isn’t just a minor dip; it’s a red flag waving in the wind, signaling deeper systemic issues.
At a recent media-security dialogue, representatives from the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, the Ghana Journalists Association, the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana, and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) gathered to dissect the alarming trend. Dr. Gilbert Tietaah, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department of Communication Studies, didn’t mince words. He called the latest ranking “deeply worrying,” highlighting that while Ghana’s overall score dropped slightly from 67.71 to 67.13, the most alarming decline was in the security indicator. Ghana plummeted from 72nd to 86th place—a 14-spot drop that screams of escalating threats to journalist safety.
“This isn’t just a statistic,” Dr. Tietaah emphasized. “It’s a wake-up call. Journalists are facing increasing dangers from both state and non-state actors, and we urgently need systemic reforms to protect them.”
The RSF report paints a grim picture: persistent threats, harassment, intimidation, and physical attacks have become the norm for media professionals. And this is the part most people miss: these incidents aren’t isolated; they’re contributing to a toxic environment that stifles independent journalism.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Director General of Public Affairs DCOP Grace Ansah Akrofi urged journalists to take personal responsibility for their safety. “Your safety must always come first,” she advised. “While the police have a role to play, personal safety is something you must take seriously.”
But is personal responsibility enough? Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the MFWA, pointed out that the dialogue is part of broader efforts to address violations of freedom of expression—many of which involve state security actors. “In the last five years, we’ve recorded 87 violations, targeting not just journalists but also political activists and demonstrators,” he noted. “The ideal is zero violations, but when they happen, we must work toward remedies. That’s what these engagements aim to achieve.”
As risks to journalists continue to rise, experts and stakeholders are calling for stronger collaboration between security services, media organizations, and civil society. Robust partnerships, they argue, are essential to safeguarding press freedom and ensuring journalists can work without fear.
But here’s the controversial question: Is the government doing enough to protect journalists, or are state actors part of the problem? And what role should the international community play in holding Ghana accountable?
The conversation is far from over. What’s your take? Do you think Ghana’s declining press freedom ranking is a cause for alarm, or is it an overreaction? Let’s discuss in the comments below.
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