Four journalists involved in a road accident while covering an Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) assignment have been discharged from hospital, the Ashanti regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has confirmed.

In a statement signed by regional chair Kofi Adu Domfeh, the GJA said the four journalists are “recovering steadily,” while one colleague remains hospitalized after sustaining a thigh injury.

“Ibrahim Abubakar (TV3/Akoma FM), Doris Lonta (Channel 1 TV), Nana Yaw Gyimah (Luv FM/JoyNews), and Joseph Obeng (Nhyira FM/Adom News) are doing well,” the statement noted.

The injured journalist, Akwasi Adomako, a camera technician with JoyNews, underwent successful surgery on his right thigh on Saturday, 9th November, and is currently recovering at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. “We continue to wish him a speedy and full recovery,” the GJA added.

The journalists were returning from an anti-galamsey raid in Dadwene and surrounding communities with EPA officials when the vehicle they were traveling in collided with an oncoming car at Afari in the Atwima Nwabiagya district of the Ashanti Region.

The GJA expressed gratitude to journalists across the country, members of the public, and the EPA for their support during the challenging period.

The association also warned journalists to prioritize their safety while reporting on illegal mining. “Covering illegal mining operations poses significant risks. Our field monitoring confirms that many of these sites in the Ashanti Region are volatile, with illegal miners often armed and prone to violence against anyone perceived as a threat,” the statement said.

It urged media professionals to assess risks carefully before undertaking such assignments and to ensure adequate security measures are in place when working with anti-galamsey taskforces. The statement emphasized that journalists must remain vigilant, demand protection, and safeguard their lives to continue reporting on stories of public interest.

Illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey, has been a persistent challenge in Ghana, with various government agencies, including the EPA and the Minerals Commission, conducting regular raids to curb environmental degradation. Journalists covering these operations often face dangerous conditions, highlighting the importance of safety measures and risk awareness in the field.