Seventh Floor, against all odds and in firm expression of the amazing Grace of Almighty God, the Daily Graphic, Ghana’s oldest surviving newspaper, is 75.
As we celebrate, we must, first of all, honour the vision, courage, and resilience of their Founders, the sage, Their unwavering commitment to the noble cause of advocating for good governance, transparency, and the rights of citizens laid a solid foundation for the future of the Ghanaian Oldest Newspaper.
The Daily Graphic
Through their persistence and dedication, have established a legacy that continues to inspire us every day.
Their journey of impactful journalism, excellence, unwavering commitment to journalism, and the Ghanaian nation is unique and par excellence.
From its inception on October 2, 1950, the brand has not merely reported the news but has given the nation a daily diet of all vitamins that helps a nation to grow with the correct manure.
The vision of its founders, led by Cecil Harmsworth King of Great Britain, was resoundingly validated when the inaugural 2,000 copies sold out by midday.
Today, it is the highest-selling newspaper in the country and the most authentic. It is still the best-selling newspaper from the very beginning to date.
From the pre-colonial era to date, the Daily Graphic has excelled to date through tough and turbulent times.
"Truth and Accuracy has been their mantra since its inception. "Making Ghana a beautiful bride among the comity of nations. That has been the abiding joy of all Ghanaians who read this great newspaper.
The newspaper's high ethical standards is top-notch, its editorial standards have been their benchmark.
The story of the Daily Graphic
A nationalistic paper, a paper unapologetic in its advocacy for a Republic, equitable and prosperous Ghana, is quite simple: the Founders, appalled by the short shrift being given to Ghanaians at the time needed a vehicle that could champion the cause of the masses and dismantle the structures of retrogression. That was how, and why, the paper surfaced 75 years ago.
Celebrating 75 years of courage.
As an ardent reader of the Daily Graphic since the age of 10. I urge its readers to continue to look out for “constructive criticism, brilliant and educative articles, and up-to-date news from all parts of the country.”
Congratulations to the Daily Graphic for offering: “A tongue and a pen that will care less of what the opponents might say, they might feel, and will have enough courage to call hypocrisy, humbug, and tyranny by their true names.
Such a tongue, such a pen, will mortify the proud and provoke despotism to repent its ways.
”Since its inception, their mission has been clear: to serve as a voice for the voiceless, fostering accountability and driving positive change through fearless journalism.
Surviving all coup d'états in Ghana
The road, strewn with landmines, has been decidedly torturous, but the challenges have always met their match in the divine enablement that has been their lot and the iron-clad commitment of a succession of stellar casts of men and women at their Board, Management and Staff levels.
Congratulations to Ghana's Premier Newspaper
Today, I associate as we proudly celebrate the Daily Graphic's 75th anniversary—a remarkable milestone in a journey of growth and commitment to excellence. Over the past seven and a half decades, they have transformed challenges into opportunities, embraced change, and remained steadfast in their mission.
Indeed, today, they are proud to lay claim to be the paper with one of the richest libraries in Ghana and it is Digital.
Over the decades, they have witnessed profound changes in our society, but through it all, the Daily Graphic has remained steadfast in its
relentless efforts of their team and the enduring trust of their readers, who remain the chief patrons.
Over the years, the Daily Graphic has articulated the dimensions of its editorial policy, which are just as true today as they were then.
They are unwavering in their commitment to independent journalism. Guided by truth and driven by a sense of duty to our nation. They prioritise the public good above all else.
They strive to inform, challenge, and empower their readers, holding power to account while upholding the highest ethical standards. In every story they publish, their ultimate allegiance is to the truth and the collective well-being of society.
Doing otherwise would amount to a disservice to the country.
As a democrat, I believe that the Daily Graphic believes in democracy, supremacy of the will of the people, an economy grounded in sound economic principles, the highest possible standard of public probity, a truly republican system of government, enthronement of the rule of law, and social justice.
More than ever, the Daily Graphic has been a fair newspaper devoid of who wins power and is resolved and has remained constructive, balanced, and courageous in its analysis of events and comments, in order to justify the confidence of the Ghanaian public and the valued respect of those in authority.
At 75, their success is deeply rooted in the dedication and talent of their staff, many of whom I have worked with before, and others have tutored and mentored me. I have been blessed with extraordinary individuals whose contributions have not only shaped me and Ghana but have also made giant strides on national, continental, and global stages.
Their work has amplified the impact of the national mission, inspiring change and setting benchmarks in the world of journalism and beyond.
They have won almost every Ghanaian Journalism Award over the years. It remains my pledge as an ardent reader and a Ghanaian today as I adhere, resolutely, to the vision of their beloved and illustrious forebears, and hold aloft their legacy, as a former Member of the Presidential Press Corps, I say Ayekoo to them.
Their legacy has been our guiding light to me as a journalist as we navigate the monumental challenges currently facing the newspaper industry on a global scale.
Despite these challenges, they remain steadfast in their mission to the Ghanaian people, conscious of the Ghanaian. Congratulations once again to the Daily Graphic Newspaper. Continue to make Ghana proud.
The writer is a journalist, Ecowas elections expert, farmer and a caregiver
