…Says Government Cannot Serve Well If It Hears Only Applause as he Calls for Responsible Reporting
By Our Reporter
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has commended the Ghana Journalists Association for sustaining a platform that rewards excellence and keeps professional standards on the national agenda, while calling on journalists to exercise responsible reporting in the digital age.
Speaking at the launch of the 30th GJA Media Awards and the inauguration of the Awards Committee at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra on Wednesday, Mr. Debrah acknowledged the vital role journalists play in shaping the national mood and holding government accountable.
“Every morning, before most Ghanaians get out of bed, our editors, reporters, producers, camera operators, and digital content creators are already making decisions that can shape the national mood. Which claim must be checked? Which voice must be heard? Which public official must answer a question? Which rumour must be stopped before it causes harm? That daily exercise of judgment is one of the great public services in our republic,” he stated.
The Chief of Staff noted that thirty editions of the awards represent far more than a milestone, telling the story of a profession that has helped Ghana defend its democracy, expose wrongdoing, bring neglected issues to light, and give citizens a voice.
“The media are rightly described as the Fourth Estate because a nation cannot govern well when power is exercised without scrutiny and citizens are denied reliable information,” he said.
Mr. Debrah emphasised that government cannot serve well if it hears only applause, noting that reporting grounded in facts helps identify what is not working, understand how policies are being experienced, and correct course.
“We may disagree with a headline or a conclusion, but disagreement is not hostility and scrutiny is not disloyalty,” he stated.
He outlined the shared responsibilities between government and the media:
· Public officials must provide timely information, submit to legitimate questions, and protect the freedom of the media
· Journalists must verify, offer a fair hearing, separate facts from opinion, and correct errors when they occur
“In their race to be first, our national peace and a person’s hard-earned reputation must never become collateral damage,” he cautioned.
The Chief of Staff acknowledged the transformative impact of technology on journalism, noting that a mobile phone can now serve as a newsroom, radio station, television studio, and printing press.
“The rise of new media and blogging has broken old barriers, created jobs for many young people, amplified voices that were once ignored, and brought welcoming energy and immediacy into public life. We should celebrate and support that progress,” he said.
However, he stressed that credibility is built the same way regardless of the platform: “Verify before publishing, distinguish facts from allegations, respect privacy and human dignity, declare conflicts, and correct mistakes openly.”
Mr. Debrah urged the GJA to lead efforts in widening the circle of professionalism through training, mentorship, and stronger engagement with digital content creators so that innovation and ethics can be advanced together.
The Chief of Staff urged the Awards Committee to carry out its work with fairness, independence, and clear standards.
“Let these awards recognize journalism that is accurate, courageous, original, innovative, and useful to the public. Let every young reporter, whether working in a large newsroom or in a small community, know that excellent work can be seen and celebrated,” he stated.
He expressed confidence that Ghana will need a media that can move at the speed of technology without abandoning the discipline of truth—a media free enough to question, fair enough to listen, courageous enough to expose wrongdoing, and humble enough to correct itself.
“To the media fraternity, continue to ask the difficult questions. Continue to tell the stories that might otherwise go unheard. Continue to hold all of us in public office to account. Do it with courage, conscience, and fairness. Your work helps all of us serve Ghana better,” Mr. Debrah said.
With these words, the Chief of Staff officially declared the 30th GJA Media Awards duly launched and the Awards Committee inaugurated.