Mahama commits GH¢10m to revive Media Development Fund in 2027
President John Dramani Mahama has announced a GH¢10 million allocation in the 2027 national budget as seed funding for the reactivation of the Media Development Fund to support journalists and strengthen media practice in Ghana.
The President said the fund would provide support for journalists’ welfare, professional development, investigative reporting, digital literacy and safety training.
Speaking at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, President Mahama recalled his earlier commitment at the 29th edition of the awards to reactivate the fund, expressing satisfaction that the government had taken steps towards fulfilling that promise.
“I am pleased to announce that government has allocated in the 2027 budget GH¢10 million of seed money for the media fund,” he stated.
President Mahama further disclosed plans to mobilise additional financial support from corporate institutions to strengthen the fund and ensure its sustainability.
“I shall personally work with the GJA to get several other corporate institutions to contribute to the fund,” he said, mentioning KGL and the Bank of Ghana among the institutions government would approach.
He appealed to corporate Ghana to support the initiative, emphasising that the fund would require contributions beyond the initial government allocation to achieve its intended objectives.
The President assured journalists that government would continue engaging the GJA and other stakeholders to translate the commitment into tangible assistance for media practitioners.
“We’ll continue working with the association and other stakeholders to turn that commitment into practical support with full respect for editorial independence,” he added.
The reactivation of the Media Development Fund is expected to provide an important source of support for strengthening journalism, improving professional standards and addressing some of the challenges confronting media practitioners in the country.
