The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is deeply alarmed by reports of threats against its members and other media practitioners, particularly in the Central, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions for exposing the destructive activities in the galamsey endemic areas.
According to these reports the galamseyers have vowed to “teach the journalists a lesson" if they refuse to halt their exposes on illegal mining.
Coming on the heels of the horrendous murder of Captain Maxwell Mahama at Denkyira Obuasi in the Central Region the GJA believes that one does not need any superfluity of security intelligence to conclude that similar fate or something tragic can befall the journalists, especially those who fetch stories in the heart of the galamsey enclaves if nothing concrete is done to protect them.
We therefore urge the law and order community, especially the Chief of the Defense Staff and Inspector General of Police to act with urgent promptitude and provide maximum security for journalists who risk their lives to do anti galamsey stories as well as those who champion the crusade against illegal mining.
The GJA recalls with incredible pain the gruesome circumstances under which its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Samuel Ennin was murdered. Many other journalists have suffered fatalities, brutalities and indignities in their line of duty. We cannot and must not allow this terribly wicked trend to continue.
We ask all journalists in the field to heighten their sense of security and avoid situations which expose them to life threatening risks. Meanwhile, they should refuse to be intimidated or cowed to soften their stand on illegal mining which spells existential danger to this nation.
The GJA views the latest threats as a blatant slap in the face of press freedom and therefore highly unacceptable.
The GJA seizes the opportunity to commend most profusely media houses, practitioners and the Media Coalition Against Galamsey and its partners for their audacious and tenacious fight against the wanton destruction of our water bodies, farmlands and the general environment.
God save our homeland Ghana.
SIGNED
Affail Monney