Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has called for constructive journalism and critical scrutiny to help strengthen Ghana’s democracy and improve governance.
According to him, journalism plays a critical role in informing citizens, bringing neglected issues to light and helping to hold those in power accountable.
Mr Debrah made the call when he served as Special Guest of Honour at the launch of the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards and the inauguration of the Awards Committee.
He said the GJA Media Awards served as a reminder that journalism was more than simply reporting events, describing it as a public service that helped citizens make informed decisions and strengthened democratic institutions.
“Government cannot serve the people well if it hears only applause,” he said, stressing the importance of constructive scrutiny in governance.
He explained that critical examination of government policies and programmes helped identify what was not working, understand how policies affected citizens and take the necessary steps to improve.
Mr Debrah commended the President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, and the National Executive for sustaining the awards platform and promoting excellence and professional standards in journalism.
He also urged journalists and digital content creators to uphold the principles of accuracy, fairness, verification and responsibility, particularly in an increasingly fast-paced digital environment.
He said credibility must remain at the heart of journalism as the profession adapts to changes in the media landscape.
As the GJA Media Awards mark 30 years, Mr Debrah expressed the hope that the milestone would inspire greater excellence, courage and responsibility among Ghanaian journalists.
