Kwakye Ofosu Urges Media Owners to Invest in Training and Journalist Safety

Media owners in Ghana have been asked to put more money into training their staff, to improve conditions of service and to take responsibility for the safety of reporters in the field. The call came from the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

He was speaking in Accra at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, as first reported by Citi News.

The minister directed his appeal at media owners and other stakeholders in the industry. He said that, alongside training and better working conditions, those who run media organisations must be accountable for protecting the people who gather and report the news.

He told the gathering that journalist safety deserved serious attention. According to him, no reporter carrying out a legitimate professional assignment should face assault, threats or unlawful detention.

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He also addressed claims that some attacks on journalists have involved members of the security services.

"Allegations of attacks, including those involving security personnel, must be investigated and accountability must follow where wrong doing is established," he said.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu spoke of the role journalism plays in national development and in sustaining democracy. He argued that any institution that claims to uphold the rule of law should share in the duty of protecting journalists.

He said the government was committed to safeguarding media freedom. He encouraged journalists to keep scrutinising government policies and to continue holding public officials to account on behalf of citizens.

The minister said the government's dealings with the press would not depend on positive coverage.

"We do not expect favourable headlines as a condition for engagement, nor do we expect journalists to surrender their editorial independence in the name of partnership," he said.

He added that a government sure of its commitment to democracy should be willing to face tough scrutiny.

"A government that is confident in its democratic credentials must be prepared to answer difficult questions and accept legitimate criticism," Mr Kwakye Ofosu said.