IFJ Calls for Investigation of Killing of Journalist and Union Leader in Ghana

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called for a “swift and serious” investigation into the shooting death of Samuel Kwabena Ennin, news editor of a private radio station and Ashanti regional chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

Ennin was shot on Friday, 9 February, at a popular drinking spot in unclear circumstances in Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city. At around 8.30 pm armed men arrived there and demanded the mobile phones of Ennin and other people. They took two phones, shot at the journalist and fired indiscriminately to frighten customers before leaving in a white car. According to his colleagues Ennin did not struggle when they asked for his phone.

“We express our heart-felt condolence to Samuel’s family, his colleagues and the members of the Ghana Journalists Association,” said Gabriel Baglo Director of IFJ Africa Office. “We condemn this killing and we call on the authorities of Ghana to conduct a swift and serious investigation into this murder to bring his killers to justice. This cowardly murder increases our worry as attacks on journalists have been in the rise in the last year in Ghana.”

The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) has announced a 10,000,000 cedi (about 1,000 US dollars) reward for anyone who provides information leading to the capture of Ennin’s killers.

The GJA also requested all media houses to fly red flags at half mast for four days starting on Tuesday in memory of Ennin.


For further information contact the IFJ: +221 842 01 43
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 115 countries