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The General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Kofi Yeboah, has expressed frustration about the virtual lack of appreciation for the work of journalists by the very society they aim to serve.
He says despite journalists' crucial role in informing the public and holding power to account, their contributions are frequently underappreciated.
JoyNews premiered its latest hotline documentary titled, Mic On, Barriers Off, on Monday, 17th March, 2025. Produced by Emmanuel Dzivenu, the documentary highlights how media freedom serves as a lifeline for persons with disabilities (PWDs), amplifying their voices, advocating for their rights, and opening doors to opportunities.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Tuesday, March 18, which discussed the documentary, among other issues, Mr Yeboah stated, "I think the answer to the question is yes and no. Yes, because we have been making a lot of noise about media freedom, and no, because we have not gotten the results we are looking for yet."
He highlighted ongoing efforts of the media in fighting for press freedom, but emphasised that despite these efforts, the desired recognition and protection for the work of journalists have not yet been fully realised.
One of the key points Mr Yeboah raised was the striking contributions of various groups, including people with disabilities, who have shown support for journalists' work.
"What is striking about this documentary is for the beneficiaries of our work. Even persons with disabilities coming out to do this job on our behalf... it is very striking," he remarked.
Mr Yeboah pointed out the troubling trend of attacks on journalists, noting that these incidents sometimes come from those who should be protecting them.
"A lot of the time, the beneficiaries of our work; the people don’t seem to appreciate the work we do. And this is the reason they keep attacking us," he explained.
He also referred to instances where military personnel have assaulted police officers, with the media stepping in to defend the officers, only to later face attacks from the very same police force.
Despite these setbacks, Mr Yeboah remains steadfast in his belief that the fight for media freedom is vital.
He stressed that the ultimate goal is for society to fully acknowledge and appreciate the critical role of journalists.
"So long as we haven’t gotten the right answers we are looking for yet, that is getting to a point where society is acknowledging and appreciating the work that we do. We do it for them, and for which reason they will stop attacking us," he concluded.

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