The National Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has emphasized the need for improved working conditions and greater institutional support for journalists in Ghana. Speaking at the 4th Bono Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards in Sunyani, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah stated that such support would enable journalists to perform their watchdog role effectively. He stressed that media organizations must have the resources to employ and retain competent professionals, investigate stories, and maintain strong regional newsrooms.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah highlighted the importance of regional journalism, noting that issues affecting communities outside Accra often receive less attention in the national conversation. He urged journalists to build respectable careers without becoming financially dependent on politicians, businesses, and institutions they are expected to cover. According to him, if high professional standards are to be achieved, the sustainability of serious journalism deserves attention.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman also urged journalists in the Bono Region to closely monitor public projects and spending, emphasizing that journalism must leave behind an accurate record of development. He encouraged journalists to establish the cost, contractor, timelines, and terms of major projects and return to assess whether they had been completed and whether citizens received value for money.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah's comments were echoed by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Prof. Elvis Asare-Bediako, who spoke as the guest speaker at the awards event. Prof. Asare-Bediako called on journalists to uphold the theme of "Ethics, Integrity, and Impactful Journalism, Essential Ingredients for Societal Transformation." He emphasized that journalism is a form of leadership that could influence public thought, shape civic behavior, and inspire collective action.
Prof. Asare-Bediako urged journalists to verify facts and sources before publication, warning that misinformation could undermine public trust. He encouraged journalists to resist sensationalism and prioritize public interest, fairness, and balance. Additionally, he called for stronger collaboration between academia and the media, noting that research provides evidence while journalism amplifies it to inform public discourse.
The awards event recognized the contributions of journalists in the Bono Region, with Joy News correspondent for the Bono Region, Precious Semevoh, adjudged as the Best Journalist in Climate Change and Green Transition Reporting. The overall Bono Regional Best Journalist of the Year 2025 award went to Lawrence Yeboah Gyan of Wisdom FM for his work in children's advocacy, health, and medical care.
In his remarks, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah congratulated award winners and urged them to protect their professional reputations, stating that credibility is built over time through accurate and independent journalism. He also urged politicians to provide journalists with the information required for accurate reporting and to avoid treating difficult questions as hostility if accurate reportage is required of journalists.
Key points
- Johnson Asiedu Nketiah calls for improved working conditions for journalists.
- Asiedu Nketiah emphasizes the importance of regional journalism.
- Journalists urged to prioritize ethics, integrity, and impactful journalism.
