President John Dramani Mahama has announced a GH¢10 million allocation in the 2027 national budget as seed funding for the Media Development Fund to support journalist welfare, professional development and investigative reporting.
Speaking at the 30th anniversary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, President Mahama said the government would also collaborate with the Association to mobilise additional financial support from corporate institutions to strengthen the media industry.
He recalled announcing the reactivation of the Media Development Fund at the 29th GJA Media Awards, with the objective of supporting journalist welfare, professional development, investigative reporting, digital literacy and safety training.
“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 said.
The President further pledged to personally engage corporate institutions to contribute to the fund, identifying KGL and the Bank of Ghana among the institutions he intends to approach.
“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.
He assured media practitioners that the government would continue engaging the GJA and other stakeholders to translate the commitment into practical support while respecting editorial independence.
President Mahama also urged experienced media professionals, particularly editors, to create opportunities for younger journalists to develop their skills through practical newsroom experience.
“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 said.
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