Mahama earmarks GH¢10m for Media Development Fund in 2027 budget

President John Dramani Mahama has announced a GH¢10 million allocation in the 2027 national budget to provide seed funding for the reactivated Media Development Fund.

The funding is expected to support journalists’ welfare, professional training, investigative journalism, digital literacy and safety programmes within the media industry.

Speaking at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, President Mahama said the allocation followed his commitment at the previous year's awards to revive the fund as part of efforts to strengthen the media landscape.

He said the government would also partner with the GJA to attract contributions from private sector organisations and other corporate institutions to expand the fund's resources.

President Mahama disclosed that he intended to personally engage institutions, including KGL and the Bank of Ghana, to support the initiative.

“I shall personally work with the GJA to get several other corporate institutions to contribute to the fund. So KGL, Bank of Ghana, all of you, we are coming to you to contribute to the Media Fund,” he said.

He assured journalists that government would continue consultations with the GJA and other stakeholders to ensure the commitment translates into tangible assistance, while safeguarding the independence of the media.

The President also called on senior journalists, particularly editors, to invest in mentoring young reporters by giving them opportunities to acquire practical newsroom experience.

He said developing the next generation of journalists required more than formal training, stressing the importance of allowing young reporters to work alongside experienced editors and build specialised skills.

“I encourage the association and experienced editors to make room for younger reporters to learn this work. A young journalist who can sit with an editor and work through a set of public accounts will carry that skill into every story that follows,” he said.