The University of Ghana's Department of Communication Studies has launched "The State of Ghanaian Media Report 2023", as part of its 50th Anniversary celebration.
The 101 paged report highlights key findings on Financial Viability of Media, Working Conditions in the Ghanaian Media, Media Ownership and Regulation, Safety of Journalists, Media and National Development, Professional Practice and Training, and Capacity Building. The report is an educational and instructive publication that includes critical findings and recommendations on the pressing issues confronting the Ghanaian media.
Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Provost for College of Education, speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, remarked that the state of the Ghanaian media is important in developing and deepening the nation's democracy. He did, however, condemn some unethical acts, such as misinformation, slander, and corruption, as well as some claims directed against the media. He believes, "The State of the Ghanaian Media Report" is a first step in addressing these issues.
Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Provost for College of Education
Prof. Samuel Nii Ardey noted the various roles of the media that stand out globally in the context of democratic countries. The first point he made was that the media is ideally positioned to inform citizens, give them the necessary information to make meaningful decisions and hold wrongdoers accountable. The second is to provide a public arena in which various ideas and viewpoints can be voiced, encountered, debated, and weighed.
Dr. Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, the Head of the Department of Communication Studies, in her address noted that the event was a significant milestone in the department's 50th anniversary celebrations and adds to the advancement of Ghana's media and communications ecosystem. She stated that the report's seven (7) chapters provide compelling evidence for urgent media reforms in Ghana, and urged all media stakeholders, including the general public, to use the findings to improve the media landscape.
A cross-section of participants at the Launch
Dr. Yeboah-Banin also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the US Embassy and the University of Ghana’s College of Education for their financial support towards the project. She revealed that the Department hopes to launch the report every three years and will rely on its stakeholders to provide the necessary financial support.
She further noted that prior to the launch of the report, public discourses on the topics, 'Communicating Development Beyond Politics: Can the Tenets of Strategic Communication Help in the Digital Era?' and 'Implementation of the Right To Information Law', had been held.
In his remarks as the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Amin Alhassan, Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, highlighted the absence of a comprehensive regulatory system in Ghana, poor working conditions of media personnel and the safety of journalists, as some of the challenges confronting the media in this era.
Prof. Alhassan proposed that, in the future, a regulatory structure be formed to oversee media activities and content, as the National Media Commission lacks the authority to do so. He proceeded by saying that these regulatory structures should be unrelated to censorship.
Prof. Amin Alhassan, Director General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
He projected that due to the reliance on telecommunication networks for transmission, TELCOS will be more important to broadcasting in 30 years than the National Communications Authority, which allocates frequencies for Television and Radio.
The US Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission, Madam Nicole Ann Chulick, who spoke at the launch, emphasised the importance of strong journalist protection and proper training in the ethics of the profession. She asserted that because free, fair, professional, and responsible media is crucial in Ghana, the US Embassy supports the project. She also stated that the US supports press freedom because it is clear how the world would function without the media.
US Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission, Madam Nicole Ann Chulick delivering a speech
In a statement, Mr. Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, declared that the strength of the country's democracy is dependent on a healthy media. He therefore stressed on the need to routinely examine the state of the Ghanaian media.
Mr. Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa
“When the media dies, democracy also dies,” he said.
Prof. Audrey Gadzepkpo, a former Dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies, presented the audience with an overview of the report's content in a PowerPoint presentation.
Prof. Audrey Gadzepkpo, a former Dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies
"The State of the Ghanaian Media Report 2023" was officially launched by Mr. George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, and Hon. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, a former Minister of Communications.
During the programme, a five-minute documentary was screened. The documentary shed additional insight into the history of the Department of Communication Studies, past Deans and Directors, current events, and key remarks from several students. The US Embassy and UG College of Education were the main funding stakeholders, with the Media Foundation for West Africa serving as a crucial partner in the project's organisation and implementation.
The occasion was attended by renowned personalities in the communications and media landscape.
A cross-section of participants at the Launch
Attending the occasion were, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, Faculty members, Prof. Kwame Karikari, former Executive Director of Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA); Executives from Ghana Journalists Association (GJA); Executives from the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA); Representatives from UNESCO, Representatives from Ministry of Communication and Digitalisation, Ace Journalist Manesseh Azuri Awuni; Legal Practitioner and Journalist Samson Lardy Anyenini; students, among others.
The report can be accessed via the following link The State of the Ghanaian Media Report_2023-1.pdf
