The association warned that failure by the Service to release the findings could result in sanctions, including blacklisting.
Mr Albert Dwumfour, GJA President, stated this at a press conference in Accra, where he addressed a series of recent attacks on journalists across the country.
“We are giving the Fire Service a 14-day ultimatum to act on this request. If they fail to do so, we will take steps against them, including blacklisting,” he said.
Mr Dwumfour said the association was disappointed with what it described as the persistent silence from the Fire Service leadership, despite the interdiction of officers implicated in the Kasoa assault, which was ordered by President John Mahama.
He said the failure of the Service to update the public on the status of its internal investigations raised serious concerns, adding that continued silence would be interpreted as an attempt to shield wrongdoing.
The association also designated the Bawku conflict area in the Upper East Region as an early warning zone for press safety, citing reports of death threats and sustained intimidation against journalists covering the conflict.
Journalists covering the area, Mr Dwumfour said, had been labelled as enemies and subjected to coordinated online harassment.
Threats had been issued through social media posts, voice notes, and other digital platforms, creating an increasingly hostile environment.
Mr Dwumfour disclosed that the GJA Upper East Regional Chairman, Mr Albert Sore, was among journalists who had received death threats linked directly to their professional work in the conflict area.
“The association formally designates the Bawku conflict area as an early warning zone for press safety. This calls for increased vigilance, security presence and constant engagement with journalists on the ground,” he said.
Mr Dwumfour warned that any attack on a journalist in the Upper East Region, particularly where threats had been reported, would be regarded as a failure of protection and would trigger sustained national and international action until accountability was achieved.
He said the association had formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police to intervene, requesting police protection for affected journalists, expedited investigations, and the arrest and prosecution of individuals issuing threats.
Mr Dwumfour also spoke about recent assaults on journalists, including an attack on UTV and Peace FM Eastern Regional Correspondent, Mr Michael Akrofi, by a police officer at Kukurantumi on January 8, 2026.
He said the officer attempted to strangle Mr Akrofi three times during a protest by farmers over crop destruction attributed to Fulani herdsmen.
The journalist later complained of pain in his neck, back and waist and sought medical attention.
Mr Dwumfour reported an assault on Media General’s North East Regional Correspondent, Mr Solomon Kwame Kanaluwe, by military personnel in Walewale on January 26, 2026.
Mr Kanaluwe was beaten with sticks and canes after parking his motorcycle near a roadside shop.
His mobile phone was seized, and pictures and messages were deleted, even after he identified himself as a journalist.
“Even after Mr Kanaluwe identified himself as a journalist, the assault reportedly continued, with the soldiers stating they did not care about his profession,” Mr Dwumfour said.
He warned that institutional silence following attacks on journalists would be regarded as tolerance for wrongdoing.
Mr Dwumfour appealed to President Mahama to arrange a meeting between security chiefs and the GJA leadership, which had been previously promised, noting that recent incidents involving security agencies made such engagement urgent.
“Mr President, this is the right time for that meeting,” he said, adding that the President, as a member of the association, had consistently shown interest in matters affecting journalists.
GNA
