By Joyce Danso
Accra, May 28, GNA – Eighteen newly appointed members of the National Media Commission (NMC) were on Wednesday sworn into office for a three-year term in a ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Accra. The members are eligible for re-appointment.
Justice Noble Jerome Nkrumah, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, who swore the members in, charged them to uphold high journalistic standards in the country.
He underscored the importance of detailed reportage in shaping public discourse and national development.
Justice Nkrumah urged the Commission members to diligently fulfill their mandate in influencing and strengthening Ghana’s media landscape.
Mr George Sarpong, the Executive Secretary of the NMC, said the newly constituted body brought fresh perspectives to the Commission’s work.
He noted that that was the first time the Commission had been substantially reconstituted, with only one returning member, Mr Kobby Asmah, former Editor of the Daily Graphic.
Mr Sarpong highlighted the Commission’s bold efforts in transforming the media governance framework.
He disclosed that the NMC had recently concluded its internal transformation processes, which included setting and monitoring media standards, ensuring journalists safety, and overseeing election coverage.
“It is key for the Commission to setup standards, monitor those standards, and enforce them. We have now completed the core standards required,” Mr Sarpong stated.
He expressed the Commission’s intention to deepen partnerships with the Government to further enhance media transformation efforts in Ghana.
Mr Philip Fiifi Buckman, one of the new members, called for an end to what he described as “media extremism,” and pledged to advocate nationalism and responsible media practice in the country.
The newly sworn-in NMC members are Ms Eva Okyere, Mr Ernest Owusu Addo, Mr Anthony Obeng Afrane, Reverend Ruby Amable, Alhaji Muhammed Amir Kpakpo Addo, Prof. Isaac Abeku Blankson, and Ms Esther A. Numaba Cobbah.
The others are Rev. Isaac Owusu, Mr Kobby Asmah, Mr Kofi Yeboah, Mr Richard Mawuli Quashigah, Prof. Akua Britwum, Korkor Laurette Asante, Ms Abena Annobea-Asare, Mr Jospeh Yao Hotor, Mr Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, Mahama Shaibu and Philip Fiifi Buckman.
The Commission is mandated by the Constitution to promote and ensure the freedom and independence of the media in Ghana and to uphold the highest standards of journalistic practice.
GNA
Agnes Boye-Doe