At the 30th Ghana Journalists Association Media Awards in Accra, President Albert Dwumfour cautioned that Ghana’s rise to 39th place out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index should not breed complacency.
Dwumfour highlighted that the country had climbed from 52nd in 2025 and 62nd in 2023, now ranking fourth in Africa, a gain he credited to sustained advocacy, institutional commitment and stakeholder engagement.
He warned that the international ranking is only one metric, stressing that true press freedom is measured by journalists’ ability to investigate corruption, question officials, report on security operations and hold powerful institutions accountable without intimidation or fear.
The GJA president called for continued focus on persistent issues such as journalist safety, economic insecurity, media independence and professional development, urging stakeholders to consolidate gains while tackling these challenges.
Dwumfour expressed hope that Ghana will improve its position in the next edition of the index, aiming to place among the top three countries in Africa, “God willing.”
