By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, Nov 08, GNA — President John Dramani Mahama has announced a GHS10 million allocation in the 2027 budget as seed money for the establishment of a Media Development Fund, reaffirming his government’s commitment to journalists’ welfare and professional development.
Delivering the keynote address at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards in Accra, President Mahama disclosed that he would personally engage corporate institutions, including KGL Group and the Bank of Ghana, to contribute to the Fund.
“We’re coming to you to contribute to the Media Fund,” he stated.
President Mahama recalled that at the 29th GJA Media Awards, he announced the reactivation of the Media Development Fund to support journalist welfare, professional development, investigative reporting, digital literacy and safety training.
“We’ll continue working with the Association and other stakeholders to turn that commitment into practical support with full respect for editorial independence.”
President Mahama assured that his government would work with the GJA and other stakeholders to translate the commitment into practical support “with full respect for editorial independence.”
The President urged experienced editors to create opportunities for younger reporters to learn the craft.
“A young journalist who can sit with an editor and work through a set of public accounts will carry that skill into every story that follows,” he noted.
He also challenged newsrooms to apply consistent standards of evidence across the political spectrum—whether reporting on the government, the opposition, or any other entity seeking to influence public debate.
He emphasized the importance of giving individuals affected by serious allegations a fair opportunity to respond and make corrections easily accessible to audiences.
“It is only right to retract a story or apologize when we have unfortunately sullied the reputation of an individual or an institution,” President Mahama said, acknowledging that many journalists and media houses find this difficult to do.
Criticizing the media’s preoccupation with politics at the expense of other sectors, the President called on editors to broaden their coverage to include entertainment, culture, tourism, agriculture, and business.
“Our morning talk shows where representatives of political parties are invited to discuss topics ranging from animal science to nuclear power might be entertaining but not really helpful in educating the public,” he stated.
He urged reporters to tell the stories of ordinary Ghanaians—the farmer who cannot transport her produce due to impassable roads, the mother who travels hours to reach a clinic, and the young person seeking work after completing an apprenticeship.
“A good follow-up returns to the reporter after the next rains when the community can see whether the repairs made a difference in their lives,” he added.
President Mahama devoted significant attention to the challenges posed by digital platforms and artificial intelligence, noting that false claims could now reach millions before facts are established.
He cited a recent incident where a video of shoddy roadworks in Liberia was recirculated in Ghana with a planted voiceover, presenting it as a local event.
He also warned about AI-generated deepfakes, revealing that scammers had used artificial intelligence to portray him as promoting fraudulent investment schemes.
“I have people call me and say, ‘Mr. President, is this real?’ And I said, ‘Why would the President be promoting investments in a scheme? You should know it’s a scam,'” he recounted.
The President announced that he has commissioned the Media Foundation for West Africa and the GJA to conduct consultations and make recommendations on managing the new media environment.
While acknowledging the need to combat misinformation, President Mahama said efforts must safeguard legitimate criticism and independent reporting.
“Ghanaians must remain free to challenge their leaders, expose wrongdoing, and express strong opinions,” he said.
He added that where credible threats or incitement to violence require action, responses must be “lawful, proportionate, and subject to due process.”
He called on journalists to verify recordings before broadcasting them and to challenge claims in live discussions before they are repeated as fact.
“We must as a society agree on where we draw the line between free speech, hate speech, and outright insults,” he stated.
Touching on public office holders, President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s pledge to run an accountable and transparent government. “Answer difficult questions with the same openness you bring to announcing your achievements,” he urged.
President Mahama promised journalists that his administration would uphold press freedom and the right to exercise their mandate even when they ask them the most difficult questions.
The President congratulated the GJA, all award winners, and everyone who contributed to the success of the occasion, stating that “the freedom that makes this work possible belongs to every Ghanaian”.
GNA.
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade