President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that he has received investigative reports on electoral violence during the 2020 and 2024 elections and has handed them over to the Attorney-General.

He said the reports will guide accountability measures and compensation for victims, including journalists.

Mahama also pledged to revive the Media Development Fund in next year’s budget, promising transparent management through a joint Government–GJA board.

He further urged the Lands Commission to resolve the long-standing land title issue of the GJA Press Centre, assuring that government and corporate bodies would support the development of a modern facility.

Expressing concern over Ghana’s drop in international press freedom rankings, Mahama cited harassment of journalists and the murder of investigative reporter Ahmed Suale as contributing factors. “Journalists are not enemies; they are performing a legitimate role of informing the public,” he said, calling for structured dialogue between security agencies and the Ghana Journalists Association to end intimidation.

On the future of state-owned media, Mahama encouraged modernisation and the adoption of digital subscription models similar to the New York Times but rejected full privatisation. “No private station will prioritise local language education and adult literacy. That is why public broadcasting remains important,” he stressed.

Concluding, Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to media freedom, declaring: “We must reclaim our pride of place as the beacon of media freedom, not only in West Africa but across Africa.”