The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has called for stronger collaboration between media stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, and political actors to protect press freedom and promote responsible journalism in Ghana.
Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the 2025 World Press Freedom Day and Honours Night organised by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu reiterated government’s commitment to improving the working conditions of media professionals as a vital step toward strengthening independence and professionalism in the sector.
This year’s celebration was themed “Celebrating the Champions of Press Freedom and Ghana’s Media Growth: Building a Resilient Media in the AI Era,” drawing attention to the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on the journalism landscape.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu emphasized that fair compensation and improved labour conditions are fundamental to the development of a resilient and credible media.
He noted that financial insecurity among journalists undermines editorial independence and weakens public trust in the media.
He announced that government is preparing to roll out reforms that will promote innovation, safety, and long-term sustainability within the media sector.
These initiatives, he said, are designed to directly respond to the practical and professional challenges faced by journalists across the country.
On the issue of journalist safety, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged a period of heightened concern over attacks and threats targeting media practitioners—a situation that once impacted Ghana’s international press freedom standing.
He assured media workers that the government remains determined to uphold their constitutional rights and ensure justice in unresolved cases, including the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale.
“We will not allow acts of impunity to define journalism in Ghana,” he declared.
Highlighting progress, the Minister pointed to the passage of the Right to Information Act and recent institutional reforms as part of broader efforts to deepen transparency, enhance public access to information, and support ethical reporting.
The event also served as an occasion to honour trailblazers of the Ghanaian media. Notable awardees included former GJA Presidents Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, Mrs. Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, and Ms. Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, along with veteran journalists Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby, Mr. Kwesi Pratt Jnr., Mr. Ben Ephson, and Madam Elizabeth Ohene.
In closing, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu stressed that building a thriving media environment requires collective will, continuous dialogue, and shared responsibility among all actors in the democratic space.
