Ghana chosen to host sixth Federation of African Journalists congress in Accra

Pinned summary · as of 16:15

Ghana will stage the 6th Continental Congress of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) in Accra next year, after the federation's Steering Committee unanimously approved a bid from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA). Journalists' unions and associations from across Africa are expected to attend.

What we know

• The Federation of African Journalists picked Ghana to host its 6th Continental Congress in Accra next year, and the decision was unanimous.
• The Ghana Journalists Association had submitted the bid that the federation accepted.
• Delegates from member unions and associations across Africa are due to attend. The Congress will chart the federation's agenda, choose its next leadership team and hold talks with solidarity groups and cooperating partners.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

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  Nkonkonsa reported that the Steering Committee took the decision at a two-day meeting in Accra on 17 and 18 September 2026. The Custodian, Ghana News Online and The Publisher Online carried the same account, and it has not been confirmed by other reports.
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  At that meeting the committee is reported to have approved the federation's financial and audit reports, admitted four new journalists' organisations and adopted a communication strategy meant to raise the profile of the Pan-African journalists' movement. Nkonkonsa is the original report, and other reports have not confirmed these decisions.
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  The Custodian, Ghana News Online and The Publisher Online said the GJA hosted the meeting with backing from KGL Group, and that FAJ leaders met President John Dramani Mahama in Accra to discuss media freedom, journalist safety and information integrity. These points have not been confirmed by other reports.
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  FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman was reported to have said that the growing assaults on reporters, limits on press freedoms, breaches of labour rights and financial insecurity demand a better-organised response, and that African journalists would answer through organisation and collective action. He also urged stronger professional journalism and wider media literacy. This account rests on The Custodian, Ghana News Online and The Publisher Online only.
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  Nkonkonsa said the federation's leaders encouraged Ghana to lead continental efforts for media freedom and safer conditions for journalists, and that GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour urged practical steps to improve journalists' welfare, safety and job security. Other reports repeated this, but it has not been confirmed independently.

Why it matters for Ghana

Hosting the congress puts Accra at the centre of a continental conversation on press freedom, journalists' pay and safety at a time when working conditions for reporters across Africa are under discussion. For Ghanaian journalists and media houses, the event offers a chance to raise local concerns before union leaders from other countries. It could also bring visitors and business to hotels and event services in the capital.