The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, professionalism and constructive engagement with the media following a one-day capacity-building workshop held with the Defence Press Corps (DPC) in Accra.
The workshop, organised by the GAF Department of Public Relations (DPR), took place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the Command Mess, Burma Camp, and brought together senior military officers, public relations personnel and members of the Defence Press Corps to reflect on the evolving relationship between the Armed Forces and the media.
It was attended by the Chief of Staff at General Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Joshua Lartei Mensah-Larkai, as well as the Director-General of Human Resource, Commodore Francis Ayitevi Nyarko, among other senior officers.
Delivering the keynote address, AVM Mensah-Larkai underscored the pivotal role of the media in shaping public perception and supporting national security efforts.
He described a well-informed and responsible media as an essential pillar of national stability, stressing that the relationship between the Armed Forces and the Defence Press Corps must be anchored on trust, mutual respect and a shared sense of purpose.
He noted that while the military operates within a framework of confidentiality and accountability, it remains critical for information about its activities to be accurate, balanced and communicated in a manner that does not compromise operations or undermine national cohesion.
Highlighting the impact of the Defence Press Corps since its establishment in 2017, the Chief of Staff said the partnership had contributed significantly to building stronger ties with the media and developing a growing pool of journalists knowledgeable in military and security affairs.
“From internal security and counterterrorism to peacekeeping and disaster response, the importance of strategic communication cannot be overstated. On behalf of the Military High Command, we reaffirm our commitment to openness and professionalism in our engagement with the media and the Ghanaian public,” he said.
In her welcome remarks, the Acting Director-General of the Department of Public Relations, Naval Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, described the workshop as another milestone in a partnership with the Defence Press Corps that is steadily approaching a decade.
She emphasised the media’s unique responsibility to inform, educate, set the national agenda and serve as a watchdog, noting that journalists play a critical role in bridging the gap between the Armed Forces and the citizenry.
“Communication is not merely about words; it is about trust—trust between the Armed Forces and the media, trust with our citizens, and trust between Ghana and the wider world. This workshop is a deliberate step towards strengthening that trust,” she said.
The seminar featured presentations and discussions on key themes including Military–Media Relations: Challenges and the Way Forward and The Role of the Media in Safeguarding National Security, followed by an open forum that allowed for candid exchanges between military communicators and journalists.
The workshop forms part of a regular engagement initiative by the GAF, aimed at promoting dialogue, enhancing professional capacity and fostering mutual understanding between military and civilian communication practitioners, in support of national unity and security.
