National Mining Dialogue 2026: We must remain independent in reporting on mining — GJA President

Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has urged media practitioners to uphold independence and credibility while reporting on Ghana’s mining industry. The GJA president emphasized the necessity of a balanced and evidence-based approach to coverage, calling for journalists to be critical yet fair in their reporting.

He stressed that the media should neither act as adversaries nor public relations agents for the mining sector. Dwumfour stressed the importance of maintaining editorial independence, noting that the media's ability to scrutinize the mining industry, government, and regulators is fundamentally tied to its editorial autonomy. He highlighted the need for specialized training for journalists in fields such as mining, environmental issues, finance, and regulations, stressing that journalists cannot effectively interrogate an industry they do not understand.

The GJA president also encouraged journalists to strengthen their use of fact-checking and investigative reporting when covering mining and related environmental issues, and to ensure that data and technical information are accurately reported. He emphasized the importance of correcting errors promptly, noting that responsible journalism requires acknowledging and rectifying inaccuracies instead of allowing them to persist.

Dwumfour affirmed that the GJA would continue to support training programs for journalists, urging responsible and unbiased reporting without allowing personal biases or commercial interests to sway their reporting. He warned against assuming the mining industry is inherently harmful and against allowing criticism to turn into an automatic stance against mining.

Dwumfour stressed the necessity of following the facts wherever they lead, ensuring that the media plays its watchdog role responsibly.