The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, has called on the Ghana Police Service to permanently include training on freedom of expression and the safety of journalists in the curriculum of all police training schools, describing media protection as vital to Ghana’s democracy.

Speaking at the opening of a workshop on “Freedom of Expression and the Safety of Journalists” at Narpo Hotels in Accra, the Deputy Minister said the Ministry fully supports measures that make respect for human rights and professional cooperation with the media a core part of policing.

Introducing his remarks, he stressed the central role of free expression. “Freedom of expression is more than just a constitutional article; it is the right that gives life to all other rights,” he told participants. “When journalists feel safe, our democracy is safe. When the media works freely, our society grows stronger.”

Hon. Terlabi reminded officers that policing involves upholding the Constitution as well as maintaining public order. “Your duty is not only to maintain public order but also to safeguard the rights and freedoms that define who we are as a country,” he said.

He praised UNESCO for its long-term support for security sector reform, noting that the organisation has trained more than 8,600 security personnel across Africa in the last decade.

He also commended the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) for their continued collaboration.

The workshop, organised by UNESCO in partnership with the OHCHR, the Ghana Police Service, and the GJA, aims to strengthen trust and cooperation between the media and law enforcement, particularly during protests, elections, and other high-pressure situations.