By Sarah Baafi
President John Dramani Mahama visited the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to kick-start a nationwide tour of selected media houses, as part of his pledge to promote accountability, strengthen public trust, and boost confidence in the media to operate freely and with integrity.
Speaking at the GBC Digital Studio on 8th January 2025, President Mahama said the visit was also an opportunity to personally assess the state of the public broadcaster and engage management on the challenges facing public media institutions.
He noted that GBC plays a critical national role, especially in reaching underserved communities through multilingual programming that prioritises public education over commercial gain.
President Mahama reflected on his long-standing relationship with GBC, revealing that he first walked through the gates of the corporation in 1986 as a young intern. He described GBC as an institution that shaped his understanding of public service and national communication.
He acknowledged the financial constraints confronting GBC and other public media houses, stating that government is considering a new and sustainable funding model, including reforms to the public media levy, to enable them to effectively discharge their mandate.
According to him, GBC is a critical national institution whose public-interest programming reaches communities across the country in languages they understand, even when such content does not attract commercial advertising.
The President also indicated that government is open to proposals to leverage GBC’s existing assets, including its prime properties, to modernise operations and infrastructure.
He further disclosed that the Constitutional Review Committee’s recommendations on Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution, which deals with media freedom and independence, would be revisited to create a more enabling environment for public media.
President Mahama assured GBC of continued collaboration with the National Media Commission and relevant stakeholders to address legacy debts and ensure the corporation remains financially stable. He encouraged media practitioners to continue their work without fear, stressing that a free, credible, and responsible media is central to Ghana’s democracy.
