Ghana Minute.
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
Ghana’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
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Ghanaian press · Organization

National Media Commission

Also known as: NMC

National Media Commission — constitutional regulator of Ghana's media sector that reconstitutes state media boards and advises on press freedom and information integrity.

2026-04-272026-10-07

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. August 2026
  2. Joy Online

    The Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission (NMC), George Sarpong, has cautioned political parties against becoming unwitting tools for foreign actors seeking to manipulate Ghana’s information environment. …

    NMC warns political parties against foreign information manipulation and interference
  3. Joy Online

    The National Peace Council (NPC), in partnership with CRS Ghana, the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), the National Media Commission (NMC) and UNDP Ghana, has convened an inter-party dialogue in Accra to promote social cohesion and strengthen Ghana’s democratic …

    NPC convenes inter-party dialogue to strengthen Ghana’s democratic peace
  4. Joy Online

    … Beyond not paying my wife, as Chairman of the National Media Commission from 2018 to 2024, since the last Commission ended its tenure on December 24, 2024, we have not received our arrears for 2022, 2023 and 2024 although new members have been paid part of their allowance since t …

    Open SOS call to President Mahama for justice
  5. July 2026
  6. Joy Online

    … Organisations such as the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), the National Media Commission (NMC), the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), civil society organisations, legal advocacy groups, and other professional bodies should continue …

    Defending Free Expression, Promoting Responsible Media: A call for dialogue, education and the rule of law in Ghana
  7. Joy Online

    … r Braimah said the Media Foundation for West Africa opposed the arrest because there were established legal avenues for anyone who believed they had been defamed. “Our position was that if the First Lady felt defamed, she had a choice to either go to the National Media Commission …

    Arrests over false publications risk reviving criminal libel – Sulemana Braimah
  8. Joy Online

    … Gardiner explained that the National Film Authority has already begun discussions with the Ministry of Communication, the National Media Commission, and the National Communications Authority to introduce stronger regulations for television broadcasters, particularly digital telev …

    Ghana plans tougher crackdown on TV and movie piracy after Nollywood filmmakers raise alarm
  9. The Ghanaian Times

    … The Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, George Sarpong, who also addressed the summit, highlighted the crucial role of the media in safeguarding democracy at a time when disinformation was on the rise and public trust in institutions was declining. …

    Embrace innovation without losing ethics – Shamima Muslim urges journalists
  10. The Ghanaian Times

    … The association also called on the Attorney-General and the National Media Commission to ensure that justice was served and that media freedom was protected. …

    GJA condemns Obaatanpa Radio attack, issues ultimatum
  11. June 2026
  12. Joy Online

    … Audrey Gadzekpo, followed by a keynote address from the Executive Secretary of Ghana’s National Media Commission (National Media Commission), George Sarpong, and a special address from the Minister of State for Government Communications. …

    CJID brings media leaders, policymakers together for summit on information integrity in West Africa
  13. Joy Online

    … The National Media Commission, the National Film Authority, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Creative Arts Council need to pay serious attention to the new realities of digital content. …

    Laughing at Harm: Akabenezer and the problem with sexualised comedy
Politics

Chief of Staff defends scrutiny and critical journalism at GJA Awards launch

The News

The Ghana Journalists Association launched its 30th Media Awards on October 7, with Chief of Staff Julius Debrah declaring that critical reporting and rigorous oversight are vital for national development. Debrah stated that "scrutiny is not disloyalty" and urged government officials to respect press freedom while challenging journalists to maintain high ethical standards.

1 hour ago · Joy Online →

Today

  1. Chief of Staff defends scrutiny and critical journalism at GJA Awards launch

    The Ghana Journalists Association launched its 30th Media Awards on October 7, with Chief of Staff Julius Debrah declaring that critical reporting and rigorous oversight are vital for national development. Debrah stated that "scrutiny is not disloyalty" and urged government officials to respect press freedom while challenging journalists to maintain high ethical standards.

    1 hour ago · Joy Online →

Friday 2 October

  1. GIBA urges constitutional entrenchment of media freedom protections

    The Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association is calling for key protections for media freedom to be entrenched in Ghana's Constitution during the ongoing constitutional review, warning that relying on ordinary legislation could leave the sector vulnerable to changes by successive governments. GIBA said many of its recommendations to the Constitutional Review Committee were not reflected in the committee's final report, though it welcomed proposals concerning media independence and regulation.

    2 October 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 29 September

  1. President Mahama directs stakeholders to address Ghana's hate speech

    President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ghana Journalists Association and Media Foundation for West Africa to convene a national stakeholder engagement on hate speech, abusive online content, and responsible digital communication, and to develop a roadmap for addressing the problem. The engagement is expected to involve the National Media Commission, Ghana Police Service, civil society, traditional media, bloggers, influencers, legal and human-rights experts, digital platforms and other institutions.

    29 September 2026 · Daily Guide →

  2. President Mahama directs hate speech review by journalists and media bodies

    President John Dramani Mahama has asked the Ghana Journalists Association and Media Foundation for West Africa to lead a national stakeholder engagement on hate speech, abusive online content, and responsible digital communication, and to develop a roadmap addressing the issue. The initiative raises questions about where to draw the line between legitimate criticism and hate speech in Ghana's public discourse.

    29 September 2026 · Daily Guide →

Wednesday 23 September

  1. President warns against criminalising legitimate criticism, political commentary

    President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned against the criminalisation of legitimate criticism, political commentary, satire and dissent while addressing harmful content on social media. He called on the Media Foundation for West Africa and Ghana Journalists Association to jointly convene a national stakeholder engagement on hate speech and harmful content, noting that arrests over mere criticism could be counterproductive and undermine public confidence in state institutions.

    23 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. Mahama warns disproportionate arrests over criticism undermine institutions

    President Mahama has cautioned against disproportionate arrests for mere criticism or political commentary, saying such actions risk creating "undeserving martyrs" and eroding public confidence in state institutions. He has called for a national stakeholder engagement to develop a balanced approach that protects freedom of expression while addressing genuinely harmful digital content.

    23 September 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Mahama asks media bodies to lead national hate speech dialogue

    President Mahama has tasked the Media Foundation for West Africa and Ghana Journalists Association to jointly convene a national stakeholder engagement on hate speech and harmful digital content, seeking to develop a coherent approach that protects freedom of expression while addressing genuinely harmful online conduct.

    23 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 18 September

  1. Government opposes harassment and intimidation of journalists

    Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, said the Government does not condone harassment or intimidation of journalists and considers the media an important partner in national development. He reaffirmed the Government's commitment to creating a safe environment for journalists to work freely and professionally.

    18 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 17 September

  1. Government welcomes media criticism, values journalist feedback

    Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the government is not afraid of media criticism and views constructive engagement with journalists as essential feedback on policies and programmes. He cautioned against abuse of journalism and freedom of speech, arguing that enforcing laws against speech that creates danger or threatens public safety does not undermine freedom of expression.

    17 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 10 September

  1. Joy Online editorial criticizes declining standards in Ghanaian broadcasting

    An opinion piece laments the fall in quality of Ghana's radio and television programming, contrasting earlier eras when stations employed trained professionals with what the author sees as current low standards in talk shows, religious, and educational content.

    10 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 3 September

  1. EU urges NCCE, media roles in Ghana's constitutional review process

    The Deputy EU Ambassador to Ghana says the media and National Commission for Civic Education must play critical roles in educating citizens about a forthcoming constitutional review covering decentralisation, accountability, and human rights, including a proposed death penalty abolition. The EU pledged continued support for Ghana's civic education efforts and praised Ghana's press freedom ranking of 39th globally.

    3 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 31 August

  1. New GNA board inaugurated to guide news agency's strategic direction

    Ghana News Agency's eight-member Governing Board, chaired by Dr Kwame Akuffo Anoff-Ntow, has been inaugurated with a mandate to provide strategic policy direction, promote public accountability, and safeguard editorial independence. The National Media Commission commended GNA's commitment to accurate news dissemination and urged the new board to build on past achievements.

    31 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Saturday 29 August

  1. Counter Terrorism Director urges media to promote peace, stability

    Major General Timothy Ba-Taa-Banah, Director of the Ghana National Counter Terrorism Fusion Centre, urged the media to use its influence to help the public understand its civic responsibilities for maintaining peace and stability in Ghana. He said the media remained a critical partner in the national security architecture because of its ability to reach communities, shape discourse, and provide early warning of developments threatening national peace.

    29 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 25 August

  1. NMC urges regulation of campaign financing to protect democracy

    The National Media Commission's Executive Secretary said excessive money in politics could undermine democratic governance and urged the media and public to take interest in campaign financing. CDD-Ghana has developed a model law on political campaign financing for consideration, with participation from representatives of various political parties.

    25 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Friday 21 August

  1. Journalism must serve public interest, not attention-seeking

    Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr told the Ghana Journalists Association that media must prioritise determining what the public needs to know over maximising attention through controversy and sensationalism. He stressed that accuracy and professional judgment should not be sacrificed for speed, and that journalism's central challenge in today's environment is verifying truth amid information overload.

    21 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 20 August

  1. Journalists must uphold standards and rebuild trust, Kwesi Pratt says

    At the Ghana Journalists Association's 77th Anniversary Symposium in Accra, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Managing Editor of Insight Newspaper, called on media practitioners to strengthen professional standards and public trust by verifying information, refusing to publish unverified allegations, and ensuring technology complements rather than replaces professional journalism judgment.

    20 August 2026 · Joy Online →

  2. NCA chief calls on journalists to uphold standards amid digital shift

    The NCA Director-General has urged journalists and media practitioners to maintain professional standards of accuracy, fairness, accountability and verification as the media industry becomes increasingly digital, emphasizing that public trust must remain central to journalism.

    20 August 2026 · Joy Online →

  3. Journalists must uphold standards, build trust in digital era

    At Ghana Journalists Association's 77th anniversary symposium, Kwesi Pratt Jnr urged media practitioners to strengthen public trust through accurate reporting, courageous investigative work, and refusing to publish unverified allegations, arguing that media credibility is built through professional practice rather than slogans.

    20 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 19 August

  1. NMC reconstitutes boards of four state media organisations

    The National Media Commission has reconstituted the boards of the Ghana News Agency, Graphic Communications Group Ltd, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, and New Times Corporation in consultation with the President and in accordance with constitutional and statutory provisions. Dr Kwame Akuffo Anoff-Ntow chairs the GNA Board, Prof. Samuel Kweku Hayford chairs GCGL, Mr Francis Mills Robertson chairs GBC, and Dr Charity Binka chairs New Times Corporation.

    19 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 14 August

  1. Political parties warned against foreign information manipulation tactics

    George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, has cautioned political parties against becoming tools for foreign actors seeking to manipulate Ghana's information environment. He explained that foreign information manipulation and interference exploits truthful but contextually deceptive material amplified through algorithms, and warned that political parties are particularly vulnerable vectors for such divisions.

    14 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 13 August

  1. NMC warns parties against foreign information manipulation threat

    The National Media Commission's Executive Secretary has cautioned political parties against becoming tools for foreign actors seeking to manipulate Ghana's information environment through foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI), which exploits truthful but decontextualised information and amplifies it to create divisions.

    13 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 12 August

  1. NPC convenes inter-party dialogue for Ghana's democratic peace

    The National Peace Council, in partnership with CRS Ghana, CDD-Ghana, the National Media Commission and UNDP Ghana, held an inter-party dialogue in Accra bringing together political party representatives, the Electoral Commission, media associations and governance stakeholders to strengthen social cohesion and democratic resilience before, during and after elections. Discussions covered inter-party trust, responsible political communication, inflammatory rhetoric, and cooperation on peace and electoral security as part of the broader Political Party Trust Building Programme.

    12 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 8 August

  1. Opinion: Government delays payment to FSHS food suppliers

    An opinion piece argues that ordinary Ghanaians who supplied food items under the Free Senior High School Policy in Q4 2024 are waiting for payment, citing a norm that government pays for fourth-quarter services in the first quarter of the following year. The writer calls for President Mahama to ensure justice for these suppliers.

    8 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 28 July

  1. Ghana must balance free expression with responsible media accountability

    Ghana faces a challenge in protecting both freedom of expression and individual dignity while maintaining democratic principles. The article reflects on tensions between defending speech freedoms and enforcing legal boundaries against social media commentators.

    28 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 20 July

  1. Police arrests for false publications risk reviving criminal libel law

    Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, warned that Ghana risks reintroducing the repealed criminal libel law if police continue arresting people over alleged false publications instead of allowing civil legal processes. He cited the arrest of broadcaster Kwabena Bobie Ansah over claims about former First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo as an example, arguing that defamation should be handled through the National Media Commission, retractions, apologies, or civil court suits rather than police action.

    20 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 14 July

  1. Ghana's NFA pledges tougher measures against illegal movie broadcasts

    Ghana's National Film Authority Deputy Executive Secretary James Gardiner has assured filmmakers that authorities are working on tougher measures to curb illegal broadcast of movies by television stations, following complaints from Nollywood producer Uchenna Mbunabo about Ghanaian stations downloading films from YouTube and airing them without permission or compensation.

    14 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 13 July

  1. Deputy Spokesperson urges journalists to balance innovation with ethics

    The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim has urged journalists to embrace innovation and artificial intelligence while maintaining core values of accuracy, ethics and public service. She stressed that credibility and public trust must remain central to journalism despite technological change, and called on media organisations to invest in digital transformation and fact-checking systems.

    13 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

  2. GJA demands apology for alleged Obaatanpa Radio attack

    The Ghana Journalists Association has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Central Regional Chairman of the NDC, Richard Asiedu, to publicly apologise for his alleged role in an attack on Obaatanpa Radio at Kasoa on June 25, or face legal action and be declared an "enemy of press freedom". The GJA says a group allegedly stormed the station, assaulted staff, and locked it up, disrupting operations for several hours.

    13 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Tuesday 30 June

  1. CJID convenes West African summit on media and disinformation

    The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development will hold a Ghana Media Summit on July 9, 2026, bringing together journalists, policymakers, and civil society actors to discuss defending democracy against disinformation in West Africa. The event marks seven years of CJID's work in Ghana through its fact-checking initiative DUBAWA Ghana, and will be preceded by an OSINT training workshop for regional journalists.

    30 June 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 29 June

  1. Comedian Akabenezer's sexualised comedy normalises harm against women

    An opinion piece argues that Ghanaian comedian Ras Nene (Akabenezer) increasingly uses skits depicting sexual conquest and reducing women to objects, normalising harmful attitudes in a context where sexual violence remains high in Ghana.

    29 June 2026 · Joy Online →

National Media Commission — Ghanaian press coverage · Ghana Minute