Celebrated Ghanaian investigative journalist Edward Adeti has been awarded the 2025 P.A.V. Ansah Journalist of the Year by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), in a ceremony marked by both celebration and concern for the future of press freedom in the country.
The award, conferred during the 2025 World Press Freedom Day and Honours Night on Friday, May 2, recognized Adeti’s fearless investigations and his unwavering commitment to public accountability. He received a cash prize of GHS 50,000 alongside the top journalism honour.
But while the night celebrated excellence, it also sounded a strong alarm over the growing threats facing media practitioners in Ghana.
GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, in his address, lamented the alarming rise in journalist assaults, noting that 11 attacks were recorded in February alone. He urged the Ghana Police Service to act decisively in protecting journalists and ending impunity for such attacks.
“The impunity with which journalists are being attacked must end. We are urging the police to bring perpetrators to book. Justice for our slain colleague Ahmed Suale remains a pressing demand,” Dwumfour said.
Meanwhile, Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, shifted the conversation to the challenges posed by technological disruption, warning of the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism. He called for the urgent creation of regulatory frameworks to ensure that AI tools enhance rather than erode press freedom.
“As AI becomes more influential in the newsroom, we must prioritize policies that ensure transparency, protect human dignity, and support responsible journalism,” he stated.
Adeti’s recognition comes at a time when press freedom in Ghana is under scrutiny, making his win not only a personal triumph but also a powerful reminder of the role of fearless journalism in defending democracy and justice.
