The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has commended the Ghana Police Service for achieving a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale. The arrest of Daniel Owusu Koranteng, also known as Amakye, marks a pivotal moment in the search for justice.
Koranteng was arraigned before the Madina District Court on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, where he was remanded into police custody. He is scheduled to reappear on April 1, 2025.
In a statement released on March 20, the GJA expressed its gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno and the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, for their efforts.
“This marks a significant step in unraveling the barbaric murder of Ahmed Suale,” the statement read. “For over six years, the quest for justice seemed elusive. This breakthrough offers renewed hope, not just for Ahmed Suale’s family, but for the media community and advocates of press freedom worldwide.”
A Long-Awaited Breakthrough
Ahmed Suale, a prominent investigative journalist affiliated with Tiger Eye PI, was assassinated on January 16, 2019, in a crime that shocked the nation and the world. Since then, the lack of progress in apprehending his killers had cast a shadow over Ghana’s press freedom reputation, significantly affecting its standing on the World Press Freedom Index.
The GJA acknowledged that the arrest followed years of persistent advocacy and pressure. The Association has been at the forefront of the fight for justice for Suale, even threatening to escalate the case to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice if no significant action was taken by the end of March 2025.
A Call for Continued Efforts
While praising the Police, the GJA urged them to sustain the momentum and apprehend other suspects connected to the crime. “This breakthrough should mark the beginning of a comprehensive effort to ensure full justice for Ahmed Suale. It should also send a strong signal against impunity for crimes against journalists,” the statement added.
The Association reiterated its commitment to holding authorities accountable, stating that it would closely monitor the progress of the case. Furthermore, it highlighted the need for updates on other unresolved cases of assaults on journalists, including that of Latif Iddrisu.
GJA’s International Outreach
The GJA has notified its international partners, including the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), about the arrest. It assured them of its dedication to pursuing justice for Suale and other victims of media-targeted violence.
“In the coming days, we will engage with police leadership to seek further details on the prosecution and ongoing investigations. We remain steadfast in our resolve to protect journalists and uphold media freedom,” the statement concluded.
Hope for Media Freedom
The arrest of Daniel Owusu Koranteng represents a glimmer of hope for media practitioners and advocates of press freedom in Ghana and beyond. As the case unfolds, the GJA’s relentless pursuit of justice serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role of journalism in holding power to account and protecting democratic values.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
