By: Melissa Sackey
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting press freedom and strengthening media independence, announcing an allocation of GH¢10 million to the Media Development Fund to support journalists and promote the development of the media industry.
He said his administration would uphold the media’s constitutional mandate to hold government accountable, stressing that journalists must be protected from threats and attacks in the line of duty.
Addressing the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, President Mahama welcomed Ghana’s improvement in the global press freedom ranking from 64th to 39th, describing it as significant progress in the country’s efforts to promote media freedom.
He assured journalists that government would continue to take action against assaults on media practitioners, adding that any reporter who reports a threat to their life would have the matter treated seriously.
President Mahama also called on corporate institutions, including the KGL Group, to contribute to the Media Development Fund to ensure sustainable support for the media industry.
On the growing influence of digital media, he urged journalists to exercise greater responsibility in verifying information before publication or broadcast, particularly by establishing the source and authenticity of recordings before airing them.
He noted that Ghana was not alone in grappling with the challenges posed by new media, emphasising the need to establish a clear distinction between freedom of expression and insults.
The President’s remarks were echoed by the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who underscored the importance of a free and responsible media to democratic governance.
He said citizens could not make informed choices about their society if they were denied access to information, describing freedom of speech as essential to the country’s democracy.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, also described the awards as an important national occasion dedicated to recognising excellence in journalism.
He said the ceremony reflected the resilience of the GJA and its sustained commitment to advocating for the welfare of its members and promoting professional journalism.
Mr Bagbin, who disclosed that he was among the founding members of the present-day National Media Commission, urged journalists to continue supporting the work of Parliament through accurate and fair reporting.
The Patron of the GJA, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in a speech read on his behalf by the Nkoranza Manhene, congratulated all award winners and commended their contributions to journalism in Ghana.
The 30th GJA Media Awards was held under the theme, “Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age,” bringing together media practitioners and other stakeholders to recognise outstanding achievements in the profession.
