On the night of the 30th GJA Media Awards in Accra, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu spoke on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, declaring that the government remains determined to unravel the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale, whose death in January 2019 has yet to be solved.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu highlighted the peril journalists face in Ghana, noting that several have lost their lives while pursuing accountability. He cited Suale, an investigative reporter with Tiger Eye PI, as a tragic example of the risks inherent in exposing corruption and other matters of public interest.
“Journalists in our country lost their lives in pursuit of accountability, and I refer to the unfortunate killing of Ahmed Suale, whose murder remains unsolved, and the government remains committed to unraveling it,” he stated.
He also acknowledged the danger faced by reporters who publish stories deemed uncomfortable by powerful interests, pointing to those in the northern region who had to flee for their lives after publishing such reports. “Our words in support of free speech must not ring hollow, especially when in the north, through the past, journalists had to flee our country for fear of their lives because they published uncomfortable truths,” he added.
Suale was shot dead in Madina, Accra, in January 2019 while working on investigations into corruption. The case remains unresolved, with the GJA and other media stakeholders continuing to call for justice.
The minister’s pledge comes amid growing concerns about journalist safety and the need to safeguard media practitioners from intimidation and attacks. Mr Kwakye Ofosu reiterated that the government will pursue the circumstances surrounding Suale’s murder and work to protect journalists across the country.
As the investigation proceeds, stakeholders will monitor whether new evidence or leads emerge that could bring the perpetrators to account. The government’s renewed focus on this high-profile case signals a broader commitment to uphold press freedom and ensure that those who expose wrongdoing are not left unprotected.
