President John Dramani Mahama congratulated Gideon Asedibaa of TV3 Network Limited and all other recipients honored at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards held in Kumasi on Saturday. He delivered a strong message of support for the Fourth Estate.
President Mahama also took a moment to commend the GJA itself for its forward-thinking move to host the national ceremony outside of the usual venue in Accra, recognizing the importance of decentralizing such major national events. His attendance and address at the ceremony underscored the high value he places on the contributions of Ghanaian journalists to the nation’s democratic development.
The centerpiece of the President’s address was the unwavering commitment he pledged to upholding media freedom and safety. He explicitly and publicly reaffirmed his dedication to ensuring a “FREE, SAFE, and EFFICIENT” media environment, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding his stance on press liberties. Crucially, he stressed that under his leadership, he “will neither sanction nor tolerate any form of intimidation, interference, or attack on journalists,” signaling a firm zero-tolerance policy against any actions—whether from state or non-state actors—that might compromise the ability of media professionals to perform their duties without fear or favor.
To operationalize this commitment, President Mahama announced a significant structural directive aimed at resolving long-standing tensions between the press and state security. He has ordered the Minister of State for Government Communications and the Minister responsible for National Security to immediately set up a permanent forum for regular and constructive engagements between the security agencies and the media.
This strategic initiative is designed to be a proactive mechanism for dialogue, intended to foster mutual respect and significantly prevent negative incidents and conflicts. This move demonstrates a focus on institutionalizing a framework for collaboration rather than relying solely on reactive measures to ensure a safe operating environment for the media.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
