The Information Minister-designate, Mrs Fatimatu Abubakar, has said the government is committed to ensuring a conducive environment for free and responsible media practice in the country.
She added that the government would also enhance the work of journalists through capacity building and announced that the Ministry of Information’s third Media Capacity Enhancement Programme would commence soon.
Mrs Fatimatu Abubakar said this when she toured some media houses on Tuesday in Accra as part of stakeholder engagements in the media sector.
The Minister visited the EIB Group, which owns GhOne, Starr FM and Kasapa FM, Kessben Media, Wontumi Radio and Movement Television.
She commended the management and staff of the media houses for their professionalism and for using their platforms to engage all stakeholders in national discourse.
Mrs Abubakar called for greater collaboration between the media and government to deepen democratic governance.
She further called for media support and participation in the upcoming 3rd Africa Media Convention scheduled for May 15-17, 2024.
“The convention is to reflect on the fundamental role of journalism on the continent, celebrate fundamental principles of press freedom and deliberate on measures to safeguard media freedom, promote access to information, the safety of journalists and media visibility in Africa Union member states,” she noted.
She informed the media owners of the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM), a media development fund targeting independent media institutions.
She explained that IFPIM’s interest is focused on the sustainability of media houses and urged all media houses to take advantage of the fund.
Patience Anaadem, ISD
