The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has issued an ultimatum to authorities, demanding a concrete update on the investigation into the murder of i
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has issued an ultimatum to authorities, demanding a concrete update on the investigation into the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale by the end of March 2025.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour expressed the Association’s deep dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in the six years since Suale’s assassination.
“If by the end of March 2025, we have not seen or heard a satisfactory response to our demand, we shall proceed to the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice to seek resolution of this matter,” Dwumfour stated.
He condemned the authorities’ failure to arrest any suspects despite the time elapsed and criticized the police’s handling of the case.
“What is even more disheartening is the lackadaisical police investigations into the murder. You may recall the shocking disclosure made by former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, in February 2024 that his office had not received any docket from the police fit for prosecution or action on the murder of Ahmed Suale. This was five years after the journalist’s assassination,” he added.
New Leads and Allegations
The GJA’s renewed call for justice follows recent claims by Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare-Obeng (popularly known as A-Plus), that he had provided the Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID) with information on suspected killers of Ahmed Suale.
“He went further to threaten that if the police did not come public with their findings, he would be compelled to publish the name of the suspect he submitted to them,” Dwumfour revealed.
These revelations have fueled concerns over the willingness and capacity of law enforcement to resolve the case, reigniting debates on press freedom and journalist safety in Ghana.
GJA’s Broader Push for Justice
The Association also intends to escalate the case of journalist Latif Iddrisu, formerly of Multimedia, to the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice if no concrete action is taken by March 2025.
Iddrisu was brutally assaulted by unidentified police officers in 2018 while covering a demonstration at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department. The attack left him with a skull injury, and he has since battled for his life.
“The police claim they do not have or cannot find evidence for prosecution. They further claim the CCTV at the crime scene was faulty on that fateful day Latif was assaulted. Since crime has no expiry date, they argue that if evidence emerges, they will initiate prosecution. We shall proceed to the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice to hear what they have to say on this case,” Dwumfour said.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice-designate, and President John Dramani Mahama to take a keen interest in both cases.
International Support and Legal Preparedness
The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) has backed the GJA’s demand for justice. FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman stated that the Federation is closely monitoring the increasing impunity surrounding attacks on journalists in Ghana, particularly the murder of Ahmed Suale.
“The Federation stands in full support of the GJA in speaking against impunity. If the police fail to bring justice to Ahmed Suale, his family, and all journalists, we will not hesitate to take the matter to international forums, including the International Court of Justice and the UN Human Rights Council,” Osman declared.
GJA General Secretary Kofi Yeboah also confirmed that the Association has sought legal advice and is prepared to escalate the case to the ECOWAS Court if authorities fail to act.
“We do not appreciate the response from the police, hence the need to pursue justice at the ECOWAS Court if necessary,” he emphasized.
The GJA’s stance underscores the growing frustration among journalists and press freedom advocates over the unresolved murder of Ahmed Suale and other attacks on journalists in Ghana.