Accra: The National Media Commission (NMC) has committed to providing the necessary support to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in its efforts to achieve digital transformation. Professor Akua Opokua Britwum, the Chairperson of the NMC, made this assurance during a familiarisation visit to the headquarters of the national news agency in Accra. The purpose of the visit was to understand the operations, vision, and challenges faced by the Agency and to discuss the path forward.
According to Ghana News Agency, the visit to the GNA followed similar trips by the NMC to other state-owned media organisations such as the New Times Corporation Times and the Graphic Communications Media Group. The delegation from the NMC included representatives from various associations and bodies that constitute the Commission. Professor Britwum was accompanied by Mr. Cecil Sunkwa-Mills from the Association of Private Broadcasters, Mr. Mahama Shaibu representing Parliament, and Mrs. Abena Annobea-Asare from the National Council on Women and Development. Representatives from the Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana Bar Association, Publishers and Owners of Private Press, and the Federation of Muslim Councils and Ahmadiyya Mission were also present.
During the visit, the GNA management presented their operations and vision, followed by a tour of the head office building, currently undergoing renovations. Prof. Britwum expressed her positive impression of the structure, innovation, and commitment observed among the staff. The renovations are funded by the African Development Bank, which is also sponsoring capacity-building programs and providing equipment and vehicles under a five-year grant agreement with the Government.
Prof. Britwum emphasized the importance of GNA’s transition into multi-platform content delivery, extending beyond print to include audio and video. She urged the management to leverage digitisation for both content delivery and the preservation of valuable archives for researchers and the public. Additionally, she stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to financing the Agency, focusing on a broader national conversation regarding the GNA’s role and ensuring its independence and sustainability.
The National Media Commission, established by the 1992 Constitution, plays a crucial role in insulating state-owned media from governmental control, thereby reinforcing the importance of adequately resourcing state media to fulfill its public service mandate essential for national development.