BY Daniel Bampoe
The Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) has welcomed government’s renewed commitment to establishing a long-awaited National Media Fund, calling the move both timely and crucial to safeguarding the future of the media landscape.
The proposal, recently reaffirmed by President John Dramani Mahama, comes against the backdrop of worsening financial constraints confronting the country’s media industry—particularly smaller, privately owned outlets struggling to survive rising operational costs and shrinking revenue streams.
The idea of a national support mechanism for the media is not new.
President Mahama first introduced the policy framework during his first term in office, envisioning a dedicated fund that would strengthen media independence, expand training opportunities, and support sustainability.
However, the initiative did not fully materialize before his administration ended in 2016. With its reintroduction nearly a decade later, industry players say the need is more urgent than ever.
Media organisations—especially print and online publishers—have been hit by soaring production costs, reduced advertising budgets, limited access to professional development resources, and mounting operational pressures.
PRINPAG argues that these challenges not only weaken media businesses but also pose a direct threat to press freedom, quality journalism, and democratic accountability.
In a statement issued and signed by its President, David Tamakloe, and Public Affairs & External Relations Officer, Emmanuel Opare Djan, PRINPAG commended President Mahama for his “thoughtfulness and longstanding commitment to media development,” expressing confidence that the revived proposal will finally lead to the operationalization of the Media Development Fund.
The association, however, stressed the need for urgency. It called on government to fast-track the legal, administrative, and institutional processes required to establish the Fund to ensure that meaningful support reaches newsrooms and journalists across the country without delay.
PRINPAG further recommended that the Fund be guided by strong governance and accountability structures, including a dedicated Secretariat, a professional Fund Administrator, and an Independent Board comprised of competent individuals who can guarantee transparency and effective management.
The Association also appealed to media stakeholders, civil society groups, development partners, and the private sector to support the initiative, emphasizing that a resilient and independent media system remains essential to strengthening democracy, enhancing public accountability, and promoting national development.
PRINPAG reiterated its readiness to collaborate with government and all relevant actors toward building a free, vibrant, and sustainable media environment that can withstand the economic and technological pressures shaping the future of journalism in Ghana.
