The government has reiterated its intention to improve the pay and working conditions for journalists in order to promote media professionalism and independence in Ghana.
At the Ghana Journalists Association’s (GJA) 2025 World Press Freedom Day and Honours Night celebration in Accra on Friday, Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, made the commitment on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.
With the topic “Celebrating the Champions of Press Freedom and Ghana’s Media Growth: Building a Resilient Media in the AI Era,” it brought attention to how important artificial intelligence will be in determining the direction of journalism in the future.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu emphasized that creating a dynamic and resilient media landscape required fair labor practices and better working conditions, and that true media independence was based on journalists having financial stability.
He stated that the government will implement regulatory changes that would directly address the difficulties that journalists face while performing their jobs and would encourage sustainability, safety, and creativity in the media industry.
Speaking about journalist safety, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu recalled the time when a wave of attacks and intimidation caused Ghana’s press freedom ranking to drop globally.
He gave media professionals his word that the administration was committed to safeguarding journalists and defending their constitutional rights.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prosecuting those responsible for the unsolved murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale.
“We are committed to ensuring that acts of impunity against journalists do not define the future of press freedom in Ghana,” he said.
Mr. Ofosu emphasized government investments in creating a robust media ecosystem, such as impartial and equitable enforcement of regulations, encouragement of ethical journalism, and the improvement of professional development.
He claimed that the enactment of the Right to Information Act and continuous institutional changes had increased civic involvement and democratic participation by creating new channels for reliable information access.
At the ceremony, the GJA honored notable media professionals and journalists for their exceptional contributions to Ghanaian journalism.
Among the recipients were Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby, Mr. Kwesi Pratt Jr., Mr. Ben Ephson, Madam Elizabeth Ohene, and former GJA Presidents Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, Mrs. Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, and Ms. Ajoa Yeboah-Afari.
To maintain and protect press freedom in Ghana, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu urged cooperation from all parties involved, including media proprietors, security services, and political players.
Source: newsthemegh.com