The Ghana Police Service has urged its leadership to reinstate the annual police–media press soirée as part of efforts to improve communication and deepen collaboration with journalists.

The call was made during a stakeholder engagement organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which brought together media practitioners, security agencies, and civil society groups to deliberate on press freedom and the safety of journalists in Ghana.

Police Commander for the Zenu-Atadeka District, Superintendent Commander Oliver Turkson, said the press soirée traditionally served as an important accountability platform where journalists and police leadership could assess their work over the past year.

It provided space, she noted, for open dialogue on operational challenges, achievements, and areas for improvement.

"For instance, the challenges, the progress made. The press soirée gives a forum for a constructive conversation and helps map out a clear way forward to strengthen our relationship," she said.

She explained that reviving the event would help rebuild trust, enhance transparency, and make it easier for journalists to access accurate and timely information – particularly during crisis situations where clarity from the police is essential.

Journalists at the forum welcomed the proposal but also appealed to the police for quicker responses, more proactive communication, and improved access to public information.

The General Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Dominic Hlordzi, used the platform to reiterate calls on the government to ensure that all security agencies uphold the law when journalists are attacked. He emphasised the need for consistent and decisive action to protect media workers.

"We need the government to speak with the police, the military, the courts, and every institution under its authority to ensure that when a journalist is attacked, we walk the full haul to secure closure on their cases," he said.

During the discussions, both sides acknowledged that tensions sometimes arise between journalists and security officers. Media practitioners cited delays in police communication, while the police expressed concern about instances where reporters publish unverified or premature details.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to develop clearer communication guidelines and strengthen cooperation to ensure safer and more effective working relations between the police and the media.