Journalists in Ghana are set to benefit from a major financial boost after President John Dramani Mahama unveiled a GH¢10 million seed allocation for the Media Development Fund (MDF).
The President made the announcement while addressing media practitioners at the 30th anniversary edition of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards.
He explained that the money, captured in the 2027 national budget, is intended to serve as starting capital for the Fund. It will be channelled into improving the welfare of journalists, sharpening their professional skills and supporting investigative journalism, digital literacy and safety training.
President Mahama reminded the gathering that he had first disclosed plans to revive the Fund at last year’s awards ceremony, the 29th edition and said government was now moving from promise to action.
“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 stated.
Beyond the government allocation, the President said he would personally lead efforts to attract more money into the Fund from the private sector.
He named KGL and the Bank of Ghana as some of the institutions he plans to approach in partnership with the GJA. “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 further assured journalists that government would keep working closely with the GJA and other stakeholders to turn the pledge into tangible benefits, without interfering with editorial independence.
President Mahama also used the occasion to call on senior journalists and editors to mentor the next generation. He stressed that hands-on newsroom guidance was the best way to build competence.
“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.
