The Government has reiterated its strong commitment to press freedom under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, stressing that Ghana remains one of the most open media environments in the region.
Speaking on behalf of the President at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) World Press Freedom Day 2026 Honours Night in Accra, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, said the administration remains firmly committed to protecting media freedom and freedom of expression.
He said President Mahama holds the view that a free press is central to democratic governance and national development, adding that the government does not see media scrutiny as a threat.
“It is with a deep sense of honour and profound humility that I stand before this distinguished gathering. I bring you the warmest greetings of President John Dramani Mahama. He is a man who has always believed, with conviction, that a nation’s press is the heartbeat of its democracy,” he said.
According to him, the President welcomes criticism and scrutiny as part of democratic accountability.
“He has always chosen to respond not with intimidation, not with harassment, and not with the heavy hand of the state. Instead, he responds with the quiet confidence of a leader who knows that criticism is the price of democratic leadership,” he stated.
Samuel Nartey George further noted that under the current administration, no journalist has been killed or forced into exile for carrying out their duties, while no media house has been shut down for expressing critical views.
“I am proud to stand before you tonight and make this declaration: under President Mahama’s tenure, not a single journalist in Ghana has been killed for doing their job. Not one journalist has been forced to flee this country out of fear. Not one media house has been shuttered for daring to speak inconvenient truths to power,” he said.
He added that the government continues to engage the media fraternity through regular communication and dialogue, describing such engagement as a democratic duty rather than a favour.
The remarks come amid renewed national conversations on media freedom, professional standards, and the role of journalism in safeguarding democracy, especially in an evolving digital information space.
The GJA Honours Night brought together media practitioners, civil society actors, and government officials to celebrate World Press Freedom Day and recognise journalists for their contribution to Ghana’s democratic development.
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