President John Mahama’s decision to allocate GH¢10 million as seed money for the Media Development Fund has received support from both sides of Parliament, with the MP for Bunkpurugu, Dr Abednego Lamangin Bandim, describing it as a significant commitment to the development of Ghana’s media industry.
He said although the announcement had been long anticipated, it was the first time a President had made what he described as such a substantial financial commitment towards media development.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, November 9, Dr Bandim said the announcement had triggered discussions among lawmakers, who broadly considered it a welcome move.
“I can certainly say that there is a conversation ongoing immediately the President announced this GH¢10 million as seed money for the fund, and both sides of Parliament – what I hear is that, yes, it is a good thing. We have waited for it for a very long time,” he said.
He attributed the President’s decision, in part, to his professional background in journalism and communications, saying Mr Mahama understood the needs of the media sector.
“People are not surprised because it was expected that it will take President John Mahama to do this, to make this announcement, to make this commitment, because he is one of us, a journalist himself,” he said.
Dr Bandim, who holds a PhD in communications management, also cited the President’s experience as a public relations and communications practitioner, former Minister of Communications and member of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
He said those professional connections had raised expectations that the President would eventually take steps to support the development of the media.
The Bunkpurugu MP further disclosed that discussions had begun in Parliament on how to advance the legislative process for the fund.
He said he had discussed the matter with the Ranking Member of the relevant committee, Munam, and indicated that the committee would have to await the bill before taking it up.
Dr Bandim said the committee was expected to consider the proposed legislation when it was presented as a Private Member’s Bill, although his remarks did not indicate when that process would begin.
The GH¢10 million allocation is intended as seed funding for the Media Development Fund, which is expected to support the growth and development of the media industry in Ghana.
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