Ashanti GJA Commends EPA for Sustained Support to Journalists Injured in Illegal Mining Assignment
The Ashanti Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has highly commended the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for its consistent care, compassion, and institutional support extended to journalists who were involved in a road accident while covering an official assignment on illegal mining activities.
The accident occurred on November 6, 2025, at Afari near Nkawie, when journalists accompanying the EPA on an operation against illegal mining were involved in a vehicular incident. Since then, the EPA has demonstrated what the Association describes as exemplary leadership and responsibility in ensuring the welfare and recovery of the affected media practitioners.
In a statement signed by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the GJA, Mr. Kofi Adu Domfeh, the Association expressed satisfaction with the health progress of the journalists. According to the statement, all but one of the affected journalists have fully recovered and resumed active duty. Those who have returned to work include Ibrahim Abubakar of TV3 and Akoma FM, Doris Lonta of Channel One TV, Nana Yaw Gyimah of Luv FM and JoyNews, and Joseph Obeng of Nhyira FM and Adom News.
The statement further disclosed that Mr. Akwasi Adomako, a Camera Technician with JoyNews, who sustained severe injuries and underwent a successful surgical procedure on his right thigh, is responding well to treatment and is currently recuperating at home.
As part of continued efforts to assess the condition of the injured journalists and reaffirm the Authority’s commitment to their welfare, the Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, on Friday, January 16, 2026, paid courtesy visits to the affected journalists. She was accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Director of the EPA, Dr. Jackson Adiyia Nyantakyi, and the Eastern Regional Director, Mr. Sydney Danso. The delegation also engaged with the management of the journalists’ respective media houses to discuss their recovery and well-being.
The Ashanti GJA described the visit as a strong demonstration of empathy, accountability, and institutional leadership, and expressed deep appreciation to the EPA for its sustained support throughout the recovery period.
While encouraging journalists to remain committed to environmental protection and public-interest reporting, particularly in the fight against illegal mining, the Association reiterated the need for media practitioners to prioritise their personal safety and security, especially when operating in volatile and high-risk environments.
The GJA further called on state institutions, agencies, and all stakeholders to ensure the provision of adequate safety and security measures whenever journalists are assigned to potentially hazardous operations, in order to protect lives and strengthen responsible journalism.
The statement was dated January 16, 2026.
