Honouring Bold Voices of Free Press
By Shine Esi Kwawukumey
The ballroom of the Alisa Hotel in Roman Ridge came alive with lights, applause, and spirited conversations last night, as the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) ushered in a new tradition in the celebration of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD).
Breaking away from the usual daylight flag-raising at the Ghana International Press Centre, this year's event was transformed into a night of elegance and purpose.
The first-ever World Press Freedom Day and Honors Night held under the timely theme: “Celebrating Champions of Press Freedom and Ghana’s Media Growth; Building a Resilient Media in the Era of AI.”
It was a moment not just of celebration, but of critical reflection on the shifting sands of journalism in the digital age.
Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, struck a firm yet hopeful chord in his keynote address, acknowledging the courage of Ghanaian journalists in navigating new and evolving threats.
"In an era where artificial intelligence poses both opportunities and threats to journalism, we must be vigilant in protecting the freedoms that underpin our democracy," he asserted.
"The Ghanaian media remains a cornerstone of accountability."
GJA President, Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, opened the night by reiterating the association’s commitment to empowering newsrooms to thrive in a technologically disruptive world.
"As we embrace AI, we must equally equip our newsrooms with the skills and tools to adapt, ensuring that truth and ethical standards remain our guideposts,” he said, calling for a collective effort to future-proof the industry.
The tone of balance between innovation and integrity echoed in the words of the Minister in charge of Government Communications, Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who emphasized a need for partnership between government and media.
"Artificial intelligence is here to stay. What we must do is harness it responsibly, while ensuring that human judgment and journalistic ethics are never compromised," he stressed.
But it wasn’t all speeches and policy talk.
The Honors Night segment brought moments of pride and emotion, as veteran journalists, emerging talents, and trailblazing media institutions were called up to receive plaques and citations with applause from the audiences.
Chairperson for the night, seasoned journalist and media mentor Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, praised the GJA’s bold move to refresh the WPFD celebration.
"This format allows for more engagement, more storytelling, and a true celebration of our heroes in the media space."
"It is a fitting upgrade for the times we live in,” she remarked.
The event attracted a rich blend of personalities from seasoned editors to fresh-faced reporters, diplomats, civil society leaders, and policymakers all united by a common belief: that a resilient, independent, and ethical press is non-negotiable in any thriving democracy.
As conversations swirled around the impact of AI, the protection of press freedoms, and the future of journalism, one thing was clear, Ghana’s media is not standing still.
It is learning, evolving, and rising, even in the face of uncertainty.
And on this special night, the spotlight wasn’t just on the challenges it was on the champions.
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