NMC pledges support for Ghana News Agency’s digital transformation during familiarisation visit

The National Media Commission (NMC) has pledged to support the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in its digital transformation drive to strengthen its mandate and remain competitive in the evolving media landscape.

Professor Akua Opokua Britwum, Chairperson of the Commission, gave the assurance during a familiarisation visit to the headquarters of the Agency in Accra. The visit was to better understand the operations, vision, and challenges of the GNA, and to discuss the way forward.

The engagement formed part of similar visits to other state-owned media institutions, including the New Times Corporation and the Graphic Communications Group. The NMC delegation included representatives of stakeholder associations such as the Association of Private Broadcasters, Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana Bar Association, Parliament, the Federation of Muslim Councils, and the Ahmadiyya Mission.

After a presentation by GNA management and a tour of its head office, currently under renovation with funding support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Prof. Britwum described the session as “thoughtful” and praised the Agency’s structure, innovation, and staff commitment. The AfDB is also sponsoring capacity-building programmes, equipment, and vehicles for the Agency under a five-year grant agreement with government.

Prof. Britwum underscored the need for GNA’s transition into multi-platform content delivery, emphasising that the Agency must expand beyond text to audio and video, while also digitising its archives for preservation and research. She urged management to present a structured roadmap with timelines and stakeholder input to guide its transformation.

“We are very impressed about the commitment of staff and the enthusiasm with which you work, despite the challenges that you have presented,” she said.

She further called for a comprehensive approach to financing state-owned media, stressing that conversations must go beyond Internally Generated Funds to a broader national framework that guarantees sustainability and independence.

Highlighting the constitutional role of the NMC, Prof. Britwum reminded stakeholders that insulating state-owned media from governmental control while ensuring adequate resourcing was crucial for national development.