30th GJA Awards: Mahama allocates GH¢10m to 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 Media Development Fund, aimed at improving journalists' welfare, professional development and investigative reporting.

Addressing the 30th anniversary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, the President said the government would also collaborate with the Association to secure additional contributions from corporate institutions to strengthen the fund.

He recalled announcing the reactivation of the Media Development Fund at the 29th GJA Media Awards to support journalist welfare, professional training, investigative journalism, digital literacy and safety training.

”At the 29th GJA Media Awards, I announced the reactivation of the Media Development Fund to support journalist welfare, professional development, investigative reporting, digital literacy and safety training. I am pleased to announce that government has allocated in the 2027 budget GH¢10 million of seed money for the Media Fund,” he said.

President Mahama further pledged to personally engage corporate organisations to contribute to the initiative, specifically mentioning KGL and the Bank of Ghana as institutions he intended to approach.

“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 the government would continue consultations with the GJA and other stakeholders to ensure the commitment translates into tangible support for the industry without interfering with editorial independence.

The President also called on experienced media practitioners, particularly editors, to create opportunities for younger journalists to acquire practical skills and develop professionally through newsroom mentorship.

“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.