President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on journalists to uphold “integrity and fairness” in their reporting as Ghana approaches the December general elections. Speaking at the 28th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards in Accra, he stressed the importance of vigilance against misinformation and disinformation, urging media practitioners to remain “the gatekeepers of truth” to help citizens make informed decisions.
The President emphasized that traditional media must adapt to the evolving journalism landscape without compromising core principles such as truth, fairness, impartiality, and objectivity.
“While technology democratizes information, it also creates new vulnerabilities,” he noted. In the era of social media, where information spreads rapidly, journalists must ensure that facts prevail over falsehoods.
“We cannot allow ourselves to be swept away by sensationalism or click-bait journalism… The role of the journalist is to provide clarity, not confusion; to inform, not to inflame,” he stated.
President Akufo-Addo underscored the critical role of a vibrant media in democratic governance, urging journalists to resist sensationalism.
He remarked that with social media turning everyone into “a potential news source,” the role of professional journalists is more crucial than ever, given the lack of commitment to responsible journalism values among some individuals.
The ceremony, which capped the year-long 75th anniversary celebration of the GJA, was themed “75 years of excellence in Journalism: The Role of the media in Democratic Governance and Elections.”
Acknowledging journalists’ efforts, the President affirmed that the safety of media professionals is a priority for his administration, asserting that “those who attack the media attack democracy itself.”
He described certain past and present publications aimed at damaging his reputation and administration as “baseless and unfounded,” expressing confidence in the Ghanaian people to discern truth from falsehood.
“As the Fourth Estate, you [the media] have been instrumental in promoting transparency, accountability, and participation, which are vital for a strong democracy. Your role in combating misinformation and disinformation is essential for protecting individuals’ reputations and safeguarding our democracy,” he stated.
The awards ceremony recognized Mr. Edward Adeti from Media Without Borders as the P. A. V. Ansah Journalist of the Year. He also received the award for Best Reporter in Investigative Journalism.
Mr. Edward Acquah, Chief Reporter at the Ghana News Agency, was named the GJA/Komla Dumor Most Promising Journalist of the Year.
Ms. Beatrice Senadju from GBC won the Best Female Journalist of the Year and Best Television Feature Reporter awards, while Mr. Clinton Yeboah from Multimedia was honored as Best Student Journalist of the Year. Mr. Seth Bokpe from the Fourth Estate received the Akoto Ampaw Award for Democracy and Good Governance.
Madam Fatimatu Abubakar, the Minister for Information, urged the media to maintain impartiality in reporting on the upcoming 2024 general elections.
She noted the government’s progress in promoting press freedom and reiterated a commitment to creating “a safe environment” for all media professionals, as well as sustaining capacity-building programs for journalists.
Naa Prof. Edmund Nminyem Dele Chirr VII, the Paramount Chief of the Nandom Traditional Area and Chairman of the event, praised the vital role of journalists and encouraged citizens to support press and media freedom in Ghana.
Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the GJA, called on political actors to establish proper channels for addressing grievances related to media coverage.
He also congratulated the award recipients and urged the government to provide resources to state-owned media institutions to help them fulfill their responsibilities.
