By Clara Mlano
Four state-owned media organisations, two independent corruption and accountability organisations and a regulator are beneficiaries of logistics and equipment from the US Embassy.
The package is expected to help them play their investigative roles more efficiently.
Cameras, laptops, and video projectors are part of the package, donated through the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement.
The US Embassy in Ghana has been consistent in supporting the Ghanaian media to function efficiently. The media tools presented are for fact-based reporting, investigative reporting, and training journalists.
Some are meant to help the National Media Commission in its oversight responsibility for the media. Others are for investigation to check corruption and ensure accountability and good governance.
The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) received four laptops and a camera. The Daily Graphic had four laptops and a video projector. Another set of four laptops, a video projector, and a camera went to the Ghanaian Times. The Ghana News Agency (GNA), was also given four laptops and a camera.
Two anti-corruption and independent organisations–Corruption Watch, and CDD Ghana—had five laptops and a camera, while the Fourth Estate of the Media Foundation for West Africa received five laptops and a video projector. A regulator—the National Media Commission, NMC—was resourced with laptops.
With this new equipment, beneficiary organisations are emphatically required to practice responsible journalism to improve democracy.
Every year, each of the beneficiary organisations has to account for how it used the equipment, especially in supporting press freedom in Ghana.
