President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his government’s “firm and irreversible commitment” to media freedom, declaring that a free press is foundational to governance, human rights, and Ghana’s development.
The President’s remarks were delivered on his behalf by the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, MP, at the Ghana Journalists Association’s World Press Freedom Day Commemoration and Honours Night held Saturday at Alisa Hotel, North Ridge, Accra.
Zero journalists killed, zero media houses shut
Under the theme “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development and Security”, President Mahama said his administration has been tested by scrutiny but has chosen “the quiet confidence of a leader who knows that criticism is the price of democratic leadership.”
“I am proud to stand before you tonight and make this declaration: under President Mahama’s tenure, not a single journalist in Ghana has been killed for doing their job. Not one journalist has been forced to flee this country out of fear. Not one media house has been shuttered for daring to speak inconvenient truths to power,” the Minister read.
Ghana climbs global rankings
The President celebrated Ghana’s jump to 39th out of 180 countries in the 2026 Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index, up from 52nd in 2025 and 62nd in 2023. He called the ranking “a testament to the culture of openness that our media institutions have cultivated over decades” and pledged to protect and deepen it.
As Minister for Digital Technology, Hon. Samuel Nartey George stressed that “the internet is today’s printing press”. He said government investments in broadband and digital literacy are “democratic decisions” to ensure a connected citizenry with access to quality information.
Call for responsibility amid misinformation
While affirming press freedom, President Mahama urged the GJA and media institutions to lead the fight against disinformation. He warned that “the line between journalism and misinformation has never been thinner” and that fabricated reports can “ignite communal tensions” and “compromise national security.”
“Press freedom does not mean freedom from accountability,” he stated. “The regulatory and legal frameworks in this country are not instruments of censorship. They are instruments of order.”
Honour to veterans
The night also paid tribute to veteran journalists who “did not merely report Ghana’s story — they shaped it” despite low pay, political hostility, and danger. “Tonight, Ghana says thank you. History will remember you,” the President said.
He concluded: “Ghana has always been a beacon of democratic promise. Let our media freedom be a beacon too — a light that guides our development, strengthens our human rights, and secures our national future. Long live the free press. Long live Ghana.”
Key dignitaries present included GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, Vice President Rebecca Ekpe, Chief of Staff, Ministers of State, MPs, members of the Diplomatic Corps, UN representatives, media heads, and corporate partners.
