The Media Coalition Ghana, led by the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Dwumfour, has lauded the country’s generally peaceful 2024 elections, while condemning post-election vandalism and calling for restraint from both winners and losers.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the coalition highlighted the commendable role of the Ghanaian media in promoting transparency, accountability, and civic engagement throughout the electoral process. It noted significant improvements in pre-election, election-day, and post-election reporting, describing the media’s performance as one of the best in the nation’s history.
The coalition praised media practitioners and volunteers for their professionalism, despite challenges such as safety concerns, restricted access to information, and logistical hurdles. It commended the Ghana Police Service and security agencies for ensuring journalists’ safety and the Electoral Commission for collaborating with the media on election coverage. However, it criticized the handling of accreditation for journalists at the National Collation Centre.
The coalition congratulated President-elect John Dramani Mahama on his victory and commended NPP presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his statesmanship in conceding defeat. It urged political leaders, particularly those from the NPP and NDC, to discourage acts of violence, vandalism, and looting that have been reported in some areas.
Calling for swift action, the coalition demanded that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) arrest and prosecute perpetrators of post-election violence. It further encouraged journalists to continue promoting peace and national unity while avoiding divisive tendencies in their reporting.
“Let’s remain professional in the discharge of our duties to help galvanize the nation during this critical period,” Albert Dwumfour emphasized.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Ghana’s democracy and maintaining its role as a beacon of journalistic excellence in Africa.
