We should avoid creating a big bureaucracy around Media Development Fund – George Sarpong
The Chairman of Parliament’s Select Committee on Information and Communications, Dr Abednego Lamangin Bandim, has urged a lean management structure for the Media Development Fund.
The Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission, George Sarpong, has advocated for a streamlined management structure for the Media Development Fund. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, he suggested a small, trusted committee to oversee the fund, emphasizing the need for members who understand the media, manage resources, and attract additional funding.
Sarpong cautioned against creating a bureaucratic structure around the fund, stating that it was not his preferred suggestion. The President recently announced GH¢10 million in seed funding for the 2027 Budget, aimed at supporting journalists' welfare, professional development, investigative reporting, digital literacy, and safety training.
Sarpong noted that the media profession already has highly qualified individuals capable of managing the fund. The committee should be accountable to the profession through its stakeholders and establish transparent grant or award mechanisms. Drawing from his experience at the National Media Commission, he proposed returning to a Credibility Measurement Index to assess organizations' commitment to specific areas of reporting.
This index, which tracked coverage on topics like children's issues, agriculture, and health, could guide support for newsrooms seeking to enhance their reporting in maternal health. Sarpong stressed that the management group should understand the media's evolution and needs for improvement, including raising additional resources for the fund.
Accountability should also extend to organizations receiving support, requiring them to have systems that ensure accountability.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
