Minister-designate for Information Mustapha Hamid has pledged commitment to investing a chunk of the Media Development Fund (MDF) into building the capacity of journalists.
He said he has already been briefed on the challenges confronting Ghanaian journalists, one of which is their low capacity.
Taking his turn before the Appointments Committee on Thursday to be vetted as one of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s ministerial nominees, Mr Hamid pledged to make the Information Ministry a lead government organization in providing accurate, timely and truthful information for the citizenry.
His sector has the highest engagement rate with journalists as it often plays the liaison role between ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and the populace.
Therefore, Mr Hamid said under his tenure, journalists’ capacity will be built with the Fund.
The MDF was set up in 2013 under the presidency of John Dramani Mahama.
An initial amount of GH¢1 million was committed to it.
Mr Hamid promised to continue with the Fund and said journalists will be allowed the free room to operate, by extension.
“Where we have gotten to in our democratic experiment, it will be very difficult for any government to censor the media.”
He promised to abide by the constitutional provision that allows journalists “unfettered” freedom.
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