As media practitioners locally and globally push for governmental support for an independent press, through financial and capacity building support to embolden press freedom and professionalism, Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama, has set the pace.
He led Ghana to become the first African nation to make a financial contribution to the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM). Many journalists and press freedom advocates have described this as a demonstration of his strong belief in the vital role of independent journalism for credible information.
Speaking at the High-Level International Conference on Information Integrity and Independent Media held last week, in Paris, France, President Mahama announced Ghana’s decision to become a full member of the Partnership for Information and Democracy, further demonstrating the country’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and open governance.
“The time has come for all of us to translate our shared ideals into tangible action — to demonstrate genuine commitment to supporting public interest media and safeguarding the integrity of information”, he posited. “Together, we must win and we will win the global war against misinformation and disinformation.”
Consequently he indicated that “This decision has been officially communicated through the appropriate diplomatic channels, affirming Ghana’s unwavering commitment to the principles of transparency, accountability, and open governance. Our landmark decision sends a clear message to the international community that Ghana remains steadfast in advancing the frontiers of freedom, upholding the rule of law, and serving as a model nation in promoting democracy and good governance.”
Outcomes of the conference
Showing his satisfaction with the outcomes of the conference, he highlighted several key achievements, including: The endorsement of the Paris Declaration on Multilateral Action for Information Integrity and Independent Media, reaffirming global commitment to free, independent, and pluralistic information ecosystems; Renewed political and financial pledges to replenish the International Fund for Public Interest Media, with a goal of raising €130 million between 2026 and 2028 to support independent journalism worldwide; The establishment of a Consultative Committee to strengthen coordination among states, civil society, and the Forum for Information and Democracy; and a shared global understanding that defending truth must be a sustained, collective effort that transcends national and institutional boundaries.
Local media support
On the local front, President Mahama recently assured the Ghanaian media of a relaunch of the Media Development Fund to aid and equip Ghana’s media personnel with requisite funding for enhancing their efficiency.
While speaking at an engagement with Ghana’s media stakeholders at the Presidency, he revealed that the previous Media Development Fund initiated under his first term, was plagued with many discrepancies and lacked proper structure. “It was something that we initiated early and then there was confusion about how the Fund was administered and then it died a premature death.”
He noted that engagements with stakeholders for a more structured mode of delivery are underway and will be relaunched with the necessary provision made under next year’s budget, promising transparent management through a joint Government–Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) board.
“We are all more mature now and we will put in a mechanism that will make it more transparent and easier for journalists to benefit from the fund. I think that under next year’s budget under the Government Communications department the Fund will be activated and some money will be put in it.”
Apparently, expressing concern over Ghana’s drop in the international press freedom rankings, President Mahama cited harassment of journalists and the murder of investigative reporter Ahmed Suale as contributing factors. “Journalists are not enemies; they are performing a legitimate role of informing the public,” he said, calling for structured dialogue between security agencies and the GJA to end intimidation.
On the future of state-owned media, Mahama encouraged modernisation and the adoption of digital subscription models similar to the New York Times but rejected full privatisation. “No private station will prioritise local language education and adult literacy. That is why public broadcasting remains important,” he stressed.
President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to media freedom, declaring: “We must reclaim our pride of place as the beacon of media freedom, not only in West Africa but across Africa.”
