Deputy Chief of Staff in-charge of Administration, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, has underscored the critical role of a free and independent media in strengthening Ghana’s democracy, emphasizing that when journalists are able to work freely and professionally, citizens are better informed, public officials are held accountable and society’s most vulnerable are not overlooked.
Speaking on behalf of Chief of Staff Julius Debrah at the second edition of the Ghana Journalists Association’s (GJA) World Press Freedom Day Honours Night in Accra on Saturday, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo said the benefits of press freedom extend far beyond newsrooms and media organisations.
“A country with a strong and independent press benefits us all. It does not benefit only journalists, opposition parties or civil society. It benefits every citizen, every market woman, every farmer, every student and every family,” she stated.
According to her, a free press serves as a cornerstone of democratic governance by ensuring that citizens have access to credible information, public resources are scrutinised and those entrusted with power remain accountable to the people.
“When the press is free and doing its work well, citizens are informed. It means those in power are watched. It means public funds are accounted for. It means the vulnerable are not forgotten,” she emphasized.
The event celebrated veteran journalists, media leaders, press freedom advocates and institutions that have contributed significantly to the growth of journalism and democratic accountability in Ghana.
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo paid tribute to generations of Ghanaian journalists whose work has shaped national discourse and advanced public interest causes across health, education, environmental protection, justice and governance.
She noted that throughout Ghana’s Fourth Republic, journalists have consistently exposed societal challenges, amplified the concerns of marginalised communities and helped drive reforms through investigative and public interest reporting.
“The pen and the microphone have been present at every chapter of our national life,” she said, adding that the media has served as a vital link between citizens and decision-makers.
She also commended the Ghana Journalists Association for its longstanding role in defending media freedom and supporting journalists in the discharge of their duties.
“The GJA has provided leadership, solidarity and protection for journalists on the front lines and has sustained the momentum of press freedom advocacy even when doing so was neither safe nor convenient,” she observed.
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo acknowledged the sacrifices made by journalists in pursuit of truth and accountability and condemned attacks against media practitioners noting that no democratic society can afford to remain indifferent when journalists are threatened, assaulted or prevented from carrying out their professional responsibilities.
The Deputy Chief of Staff highlighted recent improvements in Ghana’s press freedom credentials, citing the country’s rise to 39th position globally and fourth in Africa in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.
She described the development as evidence that Ghana is making progress in strengthening democratic freedoms, while cautioning that efforts must continue to guarantee the long-term independence and sustainability of the media.
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo further warned that rapid advances in artificial intelligence and digital technologies are creating new challenges for journalism, particularly through the spread of misinformation, disinformation and manipulated content.
She said the rise of AI-generated content has made the role of professional journalists even more important, emphasizing that ethical reporting, verification and fact-checking remain the most effective safeguards against falsehoods.
“A trained, ethical and independent press that verifies before it publishes is the only credible answer to the chaos that unverified information creates,” she said.
She therefore called on government institutions, political actors, civil society organisations and citizens to collectively defend press freedom and uphold the constitutional guarantee of media independence.
Congratulating the award recipients, including those honoured posthumously, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo described them as champions whose dedication to truth, professionalism and public service has helped strengthen Ghana’s democracy and inspired future generations of journalists.
The GJA World Press Freedom Day Honours Night was held under the theme “Honouring Champions of Press Freedom.”
By: Christian Kpesese
