National Safety Mechanisms - Ghana
National Safety Context
According to the Observatory of Killed Journalists there has been 1 recorded killing in Ghana since 1993. This killing has not been judicially resolved according to the latest Director-General's Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity. Ghana has responded 2 times to the Director-General's requests for information on the judicial status of this case since 2020.
There is 1 national safety mechanism being implemented in Ghana to prevent the commission of crimes against journalists. More information on this initiative is summarised below including relevant links.
Office of the Coordinated Mechanism on the Safety of Journalists
The Office of the Coordinated Mechanism on the Safety of Journalists implements measures related to prevention from and prosecution of attacks against journalists and media workers. The Coordinated Mechanism has been operational since 2021.
What activities are carried out?
The mechanism is involved in the filing of complaints of attacks on journalists, validating alleged attacks, following up on investigations and sanctions and reporting on safety of journalists.
The mechanism implements several measures to prevent attack against journalists, including by providing training for journalists, and operating a phone line to receive complaints for attacks against the press.
The mechanism also engages in measures to assist in the prosecution of attacks against journalists, by providing capacity building and training for judges.
The mechanism engages with women’s groups on the safety of women journalists.
How is it implemented? / Who are the stakeholders?
The daily operations of the Office are handled by the National Media Commission. The internal decision-making body of the Coordinated Mechanism is the Secretariat.
The two main stakeholders are government agencies, the National Media Commission and the Ministry of Information.
For more specific information on the national safety mechanism in Ghana and those in other countries please follow the links.
