The hosting rights for the Africa Regional Headquarters of the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) have been successfully acquired by Ghana.
In terms of the nation’s dedication to press freedom and media independence, this is a significant advancement.
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister of Information, and Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, the French Minister of State for Development and International Partnerships, delivered the statement last Thursday (November 9) at the Paris Peace Forum in France.
According to Mr. Oppong Nkrumah, the government promised to show diplomatic courtesy to the foreign employees working from the Africa Regional Headquarters, which will be located in Accra, in addition to providing a dedicated office for the IFPIM headquarters after a competitive bidding process.
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He emphasised Ghana’s strategic position as a hub for regional activities by pointing out that the office’s status will be comparable to that of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) office.
He promised that in order for IFPIM to operate successfully in Ghana, the government will provide the necessary infrastructure and civility.
The IFPIM
The IFPIM, a worldwide alliance sponsored by governments, charitable organisations, and commercial enterprises, strives to overcome structural obstacles confronting independent journalism in poor and middle-income countries.
By guiding media enterprises towards long-term economic stability, the fund hopes to support democratic communities’ vitality and sustainability.
Its mission is to encourage and expand independent journalism across the world, while also addressing the issues that media outlets in low and middle-income nations confront and promoting press freedom and independence.
Advantages for Ghanaian media
At a press conference to make the announcement, Mr Oppong Nkrumah emphasised the significant benefits IFPIM’s presence would provide the Ghanaian media.
He stated that the fund’s goal was to improve the media environment by giving resources, knowledge, and financial grants.
In addition, the collaboration with IFPIM will give opportunities for capacity building and technical assistance for our local media professionals.
“Hosting the Africa Regional Headquarters in Ghana will support the digital expansion of the Ghanaian media, aligning it with the digital evolution of the industry,” the Information Minister went on to say.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah asserts that this is consistent with the government’s broader initiatives to support Ghana’s media and improve information integrity, both of which are essential to the democracy’s effective operation.
Democracies cannot develop and flourish unless other sub-regional countries establish similar partnerships with IFPIM and undertake programmes that support public interest media.
