This week marked the fourth anniversary of the murder of Ghanian journalist Ashmed Hussein- Suale Divela, who was gunned down by unidentified men months after threats by a local politician. Despite Ghanaian leaders’ promises of justice, a 2019 framework for improved relations and the safety of journalists, police assurances of progress, and two arrests, nobody has been tried or convicted in the journalist’s murder.
Meanwhile, crimes against journalists continue. Since Divela’s murder, CPJ’s research shows that:
- At least 30 other Ghanaian journalists and media workers have faced abuses in connection with their work, including attacks, threats, and arrests
- 14 journalists and media workers have been physically attacked in relation to their work—nine of them by members of Ghana’s police or military. Officials involved were rarely disciplined, and when action was taken, journalists said it was insufficient
- 17 Ghanaian journalists and media workers have been detained
- At least 10 journalists have received written or verbal threats in connection with their work
- The offices of at least three private broadcasters- Benya FM, Zylofon FM and Radio Ada FM – have been vandalized
The broad lack of accountability has resulted in a tendency toward self-censorship among members of the media. Read more about the case, in addition to the cases of 30 other journalists who have faced abuses for their work since Divela’s murder, and what, if anything, authorities have done to respond in CPJ’s feature.
