Support mainstream media to grow — Asantehene

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called for national dialogue by the government and other key stakeholders towards supporting the country’s mainstream media, particularly print media, to grow and expand. 

He said the current state of the print media in the country was not pleasant, although the mainstream media oversees continued to soldier on.

“Sadly, the mainstream media that has been the bulwark of our culture and history is cocooned in intensive care and fighting for its last breath.

“The newspapers are now part of our cultural heritage and we must, therefore, do everything possible to save them from dying,” he stressed.

The Asantehene was speaking at a dinner he hosted at the Jubilee Hall at the Manhyia Palace to climax the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards ceremony in Kumasi last Saturday.

Legal framework

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II called for the regulation of the media space to enable journalists to work within the required legal framework, saying that the media could not operate without legal constraints.

From left: Edmund Smith-Asante; Esther Somuah; Severious Kale-Dery, Justice Agbenorsi and Timothy Ngnenbe, awardees of the 29th GJA Awards from the Graphic Communications Group Ltd

“Any form of media, new or old, operating without any legal constraints, is potentially a direct threat to democracy. We cannot have the media, a vital part of our society, exempted from the rule of law,” the Asantehene averred.

“Just as we strive to curb impunity in the public space, so it is important to check impunity in the media space as well,” he said. He further underscored the importance of ensuring respect and compliance with the country’s laws. 

Illegal mining no joke

On illegal mining, the Asantehene called for decisive action from the government and stakeholders towards ending illegal mining, popularly referred to as galamsey, to safeguard the country’s environment.

IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno (right) presenting the Best Female Journalist (2024) Award to Doreen Ampofo of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation

“I cannot see why we cannot come together and take up this galamsey issue seriously and deal with it once and for all, unless we are all complicit in it.

“More must be done to put an end to galamsey, which continues to destroy forests and water bodies,” the Asantehene stressed.

He entreated Ghanaians to be very careful about illegal mining as it was destroying the nation, saying, “It is becoming more of a mafia situation and if we are not careful, it will engulf all of us”.

“We joke about galamsey and we think it is not serious, but it is a very serious issue that must be addressed to protect the very survival of the nation,” the Asantehene said.

“If people will not vote for you because you’re saving their lives, let them not vote. Leadership must be decisive,” he stressed.

Essence of Awards

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who hosted the journalists and provided enormous support for the organisation of the GJA Awards, said the annual event was more than celebrating a moment to recognise the exemplary works of journalists, adding: “It should be a national moment of significance, a period of reflection and soul-searching on the daunting challenges thrown up by the complexities of today’s age”.

Some traditional leaders at the event

He underscored the media’s critical role in the sustenance of national cohesion and prosperity, as well as the crucial role they played in Ghana’s political evolution, and praised the dedication of journalists who continued to inform and educate the public.

Reward

The Asantehene congratulated the award winners and commended the GJA for nurturing professionalism and excellence, saying, “It is only right that the nation pauses to celebrate those who hold power to account”.

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (4th from right), President John Dramani Mahama (2nd from right), Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie (2nd from left), acting Chief Justice; Albert Kwabena Dwumfour (4th from left), President of the GJA, and other dignitaries at the event

The Asantehene at the dinner presented a cash prize of GH¢25,000 each to the Best Female Journalist, Doreen Ampofo, and the Overall Journalist, Godwin Asediba.

Dignitaries

Aside from the Asantehene, the dinner was attended by the Executive Chairman, KGL Group, Alex Apau Adadey; the President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, other national executives and other high-profile personalities.

Edmond Moukala (left), UNESCO Country Director for Ghana, with some GJA Executives 

The patrons were treated to good music by musicians such as Jack Alolome, Akwaboah and Samini.

Accra-based Black Shades Band was also in attendance to provide soothing music that moved patrons to the dance floor.