By: Ashiadey Dotse
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, has described the media as an important partner in helping the public understand the central bank’s policies and decisions.
He said journalists play a key role in explaining complex economic and financial issues, including inflation, monetary policy, exchange rate movements and financial sector reforms.
Speaking at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards in Accra on Saturday, November 7, 2026, Dr. Asiama said accurate and balanced reporting helps translate technical economic information into messages that ordinary citizens can understand.
“At the Bank of Ghana, the media serves as an essential partner in promoting public understanding of most of what we do, particularly economic and financial issues,” he said.
He noted that effective communication was one of the most important responsibilities of central banks, adding that monetary policies were more effective when the public understood them.
Dr. Asiama said transparency, credibility and accountability required regular engagement with stakeholders, particularly the media.
He also warned about the growing challenges of misinformation, disinformation, online abuse and hate speech in the digital space.
Although digital platforms have created opportunities for people to share information and participate in public discussions, he said they had also made it necessary for journalists to uphold professional standards.
“Professional journalism serves as society’s compass. It helps citizens to distinguish fact from falsehood, evidence from speculation, and informed analysis from sensationalism,” he stated.
The Governor further commended Ghanaian journalists for their growing contribution to business, finance and economic reporting through investigative stories, analytical features, broadcast discussions and digital platforms.
He said the Bank of Ghana had established the Governance, Economic and Financial Story of the Year Award to encourage quality reporting and improve public understanding of economic developments.
Dr. Asiama explained that the award package would include sponsorship for the winner to attend either the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings or Annual Meetings.
The winner would also receive a laptop, a one-year internet data subscription and opportunities for professional fellowships with institutions such as the Thomson Foundation and the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.
Other benefits would include scholarship opportunities for further studies in journalism and communications, as well as professional exchange programmes with international media organisations such as Bloomberg and Reuters.
He said the initiative was aimed at investing in the professional development of Ghanaian journalists and improving the quality of economic and financial reporting.
The Governor congratulated the nominees and award recipients, recognising their contribution to informing the public and holding institutions accountable.
The 30th GJA Media Awards was held under the theme: “Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom, and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age.”
