President John Dramani Mahama has committed seed money of GH¢10 million in the 2027 national budget to re-establish the Media Development Fund, aimed at improving journalist welfare, driving professional development, and backing investigative reporting across the country.
The President disclosed the funding package while addressing practitioners at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, where he outlined plans to partner with the GJA to raise extra funding from corporate bodies to boost media operations.
Reflecting on commitments made at the previous awards ceremony, President Mahama pointed out that the government is following through on its promise to reignite the initiative.
”At the 29th GJA Media Awards, I announced the reactivation of the Media Development Fund to support journalist welfare, professional development, investigative reporting, digital literacy and safety training. I am pleased to announce that government has allocated in the 2027 budget GH¢10 million of seed money for the Media Fund,” he stated.
To build a substantial financial base for the fund, the President promised to reach out to major corporate institutions, singling out key entities like KGL and the central bank.
“I shall personally work with the GJA to get several other corporate institutions to contribute to the fund. So KGL, Bank of Ghana, all of you, we are coming to you to contribute to the Media Fund,” he added.
President Mahama reassured journalists that the state will maintain close contact with leadership in the media landscape to ensure the pledge provides tangible relief while preserving press freedom and editorial independence.
Touching on capacity building within newsrooms, he challenged senior media personnel, particularly veteran editors, to create avenues for junior reporters to gain practical hands-on experience and master complex reporting skills.
“I encourage the Association and experienced editors to make room for younger reporters to learn this work. 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 stressed.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
