The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has expressed concern over the poor treatment meted out to journalist by Government.

Mr. Kingsley Hope who tasked Government to prioritize the welfare of journalists when travelling with them on assignments said many journalists have lost their lives in the course of duty.

He indicated that rickety vehicles given to Journalists during working visits or tours by Ministers and other Government officials has posed threats to the lives of journalists.


His remarks were made during an end of year press soiree organized by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly(KMA) as part of its annual end of year meetings with journalists in the region.

He cited an incident where one of the journalists in the region sustained injuries during a tour with a Government official.

He indicated that the death of his colleague at the Ghanaian Times Newspaper, Samuel Nuamah in August 2015, must also serve as a wakeup call for authorities to see to the welfare of journalists when travelling with them to cover stories.

The Chairman stressed that journalists also deserve to sit in V8 vehicles as the politicians and Government officials.

“Last two years or so, some of us were following the Minister for a program and there was an accident. Evans Nkum is not here and as we talk the metal that was slotted into his hand is still intact. It was all as a result of rickety vehicles given to journalists. I have been a witnessed myself. Sometimes I even feel we should boycott some of these programs because the vehicle given to us is rickety one”.

He also called on journalists to remain professional in the discharge of their duties.