A policy framework seeking to strengthen relations with the Ghana Police Service (GPS) and the media in Ghana has been adopted towards establishing a greater cooperation between the two bodies.

The framework dubbed; “Police-Media Relations and Safety of Journalists in Ghana” which was developed by the Ghana Police Service in collaboration with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) is aimed enhancing the safety of journalists, curbing fake news and ending impunity for crimes against journalists the country.

Speaking at the launch of the framework on July 1, 2020, in Accra, COP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, Director General of Administration at the Ghana Police Service who read a speech on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Mr James Oppong Boanuh noted Police-Media relations is crucial to building and nurturing a mutually respecting and re-enforcing relationship between both parties.

“This policy framework underscores the relevance attached to foster the Police-Media’s collaborative efforts aimed at promoting good governance in the country. The Police-Media collaboration which is at a bilateral level of cooperation, has the capacity to deepen democratic governance and dispensation,” COP Akuffo Dampare stated.

COP Dampare adds that despite some collaborative gains in the past between the Police and the media, some avoidable and apprehensive incidents have since occurred.

“Specifically, we have had some great partnerships and collaborations between the [Police-Media] whereas at the same the time, there have been a number of avoidably apprehensive situations between us. Without a doubt, no country can develop successfully without peace, safety, security and information sharing. The Police and the Media which play pivotal roles, need to find adoptive ways of managing their difference to attain a common goal,” he explained.

Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Sulemana Braimah on his part said the policy framework will provide clarity on the establishment of a Media-Police Relations Committee.

“In this document, there is a proposal to establish a broad-based Media-Police Relations Committee so immediately at the policy level, we can envisage some possible ways of addressing some of the collaborative efforts,” Braimah said.

Professor Kwame Karikari, Founder of Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) said press freedom and the safety of journalists in the country was essential to any democratic and social development and to guide relations between the media and the police.

Mrs. Adelaide Anno-Kumi, Chief Director at the Ministry of Interior also called for key recommendations in the policy framework to be adopted to guide relations between the media and the police.

The adoption of the framework follows a year-long series of multi-stakeholder engagements and consultations was endorsed by the Inspector General of Police and members of the Police Management Board on May 22, 2019.

Other committees for the development of the framework were made of representatives of the Ghana Police Service, Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), National Media Commission (NMC), Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN), Editors Forum-Ghana, Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) and the Ghana Institute of Journalism.