KGL Chairman’s Personal Pledge to Reframe African Journalism Inspired by Nkrumah’s Press Secretary

In a powerful keynote at the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) Steering Committee meeting, KGL Group's Executive Chairman, Alex Apau Dadey, reflected on his personal connection to the media through his late father-in-law who served as the first director of the Ghana Institute of Journalism and as press secretary to Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah. Dadey, passionate about the role of media, pledged to honor his father-in-law's legacy and vowed to support the media industry.

However, Dadey did more than pay homage; he called for a reframe of the media's role in African society. He challenged the long-standing model of the media as a mechanism for "holding power to account," suggesting that in today's digital era, this approach may be hindering rather than promoting growth. Dadey questioned whether the relentless scrutiny of African leaders is impeding the continent’s progress.

Drawing a parallel with global media giants like Forbes and The Economist, which focus on celebrating corporate success stories, Dadey argued that African journalism should pivot towards showcasing the achievements of local businesses. He emphasized a shift from a position of skepticism to one of collaboration, proposing that the media's mission should extend beyond merely criticizing to actively partnering in the continent's economic transformation.

Dadey framed this vision as a new social contract, where the media and business sectors work together “to build African champions.” His speech underscored that the media’s role in Africa is evolving into a partnership imperative for the region’s future.