General
On 1st September 2025, President John Dramani Mahama removed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office, following the recommendation of an Article 146 Committee that investigated complaints of alleged misconduct. The Committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, concluded that acts of misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been verified and advised her dismissal, which the President acted upon as required by the Constitution.
This decision came several months after her suspension in April 2025, during which she rejected the investigation as “arbitrary” and insisted on defending herself against the allegations. The removal of the Chief Justice was viewed by some legal experts as a “judicial coup” and one that sets a worrisome precedent for Ghana’s democracy. However, the government has stressed that it followed due process and complied with the law.
Expression
Radio stations suspended for failure to comply with regulatory requirements
On 12th June 2025, the National Communications Authority (NCA) suspended the operations of 62 radio stations, citing regulatory breaches and non-compliance with broadcasting laws. President John Dramani Mahama directed the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, to work with the NCA to reinstate the licencses of the affected outlets. Addressing Parliament, Minister Samuel Nartey George confirmed that the radio stations had been granted a 30-day grace period to address the regulatory violations.
Following this development, on 12th August, the NCA suspended nine of the 62 radio stations that had failed to comply with the regulatory requirements during the 30-day grace period. The Media Foundation for West Africa called on the authorities to ensure transparency in such processes of media regulation.
Journalists assaulted while reporting
On 27th May 2025, JoyNews reporter Latif Iddrisu was physically assaulted while covering the detention of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). Police confiscated his mobile phone and forced him to delete footage he had recorded. Later in the day, as he reported live, a group of NPP supporters attacked him, striking his head and pelting him with stones, then shoving and heckling him on camera. Despite the onslaught, Iddrisu continued his live broadcast, telling viewers that he was under attack. The National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Salam Mustapha, later apologised for the actions of the NPP supporters.
On 11th July 2025, three journalists, Kwabena Agyekum Banahene of GHOne TV, Salomey Martey of the Multimedia Group and Vida Wiafe of Amansan TV, were assaulted while covering the parliamentary election rerun in Ablekuma North. A police officer slapped and pushed Banahene, who suffered physical injuries as a result. Police responded to the incident and charged the officer with assault. The Accra Regional Police Command confirmed that the officer has been referred to the Professional Standards Bureau for investigation and statements have been collected from witnesses and victims. Authorities reiterated their commitment to ensuring accountability for acts of violence or misconduct during elections and encouraged the public to assist in investigations. Separately, Vida Wiafe, Amansan TV’s reporter, was rendered unconscious after she was allegedly pepper sprayed by the police. And a half-masked man struck and shoved the Salomey Martey of the Multimedia Group.
Military officials attack journalist and media workers
On 30th July, at least seven military officers, some wearing National Intelligence Bureau vests, attacked JoyNews anchor and producer, Carlos Lorlornyo Atsu Calonyn, and camera operator, Jonas Zodzi Voergborlo, while they were covering the demolition of a warehouse owned by McDan Company Limited in Accra. Calonyn reported that an officer punched him twice, leaving him with severe spinal pain and blurred vision in his left eye, while others smashed his phone, camera and other equipment. The officers threatened Voergborlo for attempting to film the attack and later detained Calonyn at the Bureau’s headquarters for about 45 minutes. Media watchdogs condemned the attack, calling it an assault on press freedom, and President John Dramani Mahama directed state security services to investigate the incident.
Journalists slandered during press conference
The Media Foundation for West Africa condemned harsh rhetoric against journalists during a press conference on 29th August 2025. The journalists had expressed concerns regarding a strike among healthcare workers over delayed pay. Dr. David Tenkorang-Twum, General Secretary of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, responded to the concerns by slandering the journalists with harsh words that debased their journalism work.
Peaceful Assembly
Peaceful protests take place against illegal mining
On 14th April 2025, the leader of the Generational Rights Protection Society (GRPS) and media personality, Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah, announced a three-day demonstration to demand urgent action against illegal mining in the country. The protest was scheduled to take place between 28th and 30th April 2025. Initially, the Greater Accra Regional Police Command approached the Accra High Court for an injunction to stop the protests, reportedly claiming in their affadavit that the organisers had failed to respond to communication by police, had not secured permission to use Liberation Square and raised national security concerns, claiming intelligence reports warned of “undesirable elements” infiltrating the protests. The Attorney-General later ordered the motion to be withdrawn.
On 28th April, the protest took place without any reported restriction. However, day two of the protest was called off after a meeting between the Deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem-Sai, the Accra Police Command and the leaders of the GRPS group. This was done to allow the police enough time to prepare for the second protest.
Illegal gold mining (known as “galamsey”) and its impact on the environment sparked protests in 2024.
Opposition protests take place
On 5th May 2025, hundreds of protesters gathered to demonstrate against the government's decision to remove the Chief Justice (see General ). Protesters, organised by the opposition New Patriotic Party, claimed that the President has not followed due process in the removal and has interfered in the independence of the judicial system. The Ghana Bar Association also expressed concerns over the move, along with several other opposition parties. There were no reports of police interference or obstruction of the demonstration.
Pan-African protests over Ghana’s burdensome debt
On 30th August 2025, protesters gathered in Ghana to call for a cancellation of the country's debt, which totals over 28 billion USD. Trade unions organised the demonstration, demanding debt relief, a burden which has hindered economic growth and development, not only in Ghana, but across the African continent. The Ghanaian government received the trade unions' petitions regarding the issue of the burdensome debt, and the Ministry of Finance expressed its concerns in turn.
Clashes occur during student-led protests
On 16th September 2025, student protesters from the Tamale Technical University and police clashed with police during demonstrations on campus. Student associations had mobilised the protesters to demand the university administration address issues of increasing fees, mismanagement of funds, and other issues hindering the students from their right to education. The protest began peacefully, but escalated as police began to use excessive force, including warning shots, tear gas and water cannon. The students responded by throwing stones at police. Six injuries were reported: three students and three police officers.