The Private Newspaper and Online Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) has officially sworn in a new national executives, ushering in what many stakeholders have described as a new era of resilience, professionalism, and reform for Ghana’s private media sector.
The swearing-in ceremony, held in Accra on Thursday, September 4, 2025, attracted government officials, industry leaders, traditional rulers and journalists, all gathered to reaffirm the role of private media in strengthening Ghana’s democracy.
The new leadership is headed by Mr. David Sitsofe Tamakloe as President, with Michael Antwi-Agyei as Vice-President, Prince Kaunda as Organising Secretary, Emmanuel Opare Djan as Public Relations and External Affairs Officer, and Naana Aklerh Kubi I as Financial Secretary and Treasurer.
Shamima Muslim calls for trust and innovation
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of President John Mahama and the Minister for Presidential Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Madam Shamima Muslim, challenged journalists to rethink their craft to stay relevant in a fast-changing media landscape.
She warned of growing public disinterest in news, observing that many people now deliberately avoid newspapers and broadcast bulletins.
“I hear from friends that they avoid the news because it makes them sad or anxious,” she said. “Many now find comfort in binge-watching TV series or scrolling endlessly on TikTok. So how do we build trust in an untrusting world?”
Madam Muslim urged journalists to embrace constructive journalism and inclusive storytelling. She questioned how media houses could take content to platforms where the audience already is.
“If your audience is on TikTok, how do you bring your content there? How do you animate your journalism for the platforms where people actually are?” she asked.
She also applauded the outgoing PRINPAG executives for their service and courage in leadership, adding that relevance has now become a survival strategy for the industry.
“It’s not just about money. If people don’t find you relevant, they won’t invest their attention or resources in your content. You either innovate or die,” she stressed.
At the same time, she underscored the importance of safeguarding press freedom, noting that while technology has disrupted traditional business models, it also presents opportunities for renewal and growth.
President Tamakloe vows sweeping reforms
In his inaugural address, PRINPAG President David Sitsofe Tamakloe pledged sweeping reforms aimed at restoring the visibility, credibility, and sustainability of Ghana’s private media.
He rejected what he called “degrading chicken chain (Soli) handouts,” insisting that journalism must be built on dignity, professionalism, and independence.
“Advertising is not charity; it is a value exchange,” he declared. “PRINPAG members must be positioned as professional partners within the business ecosystem, not beggars.”
To address welfare concerns, Mr. Tamakloe announced the establishment of the PRINPAG Foundation, a dedicated fund to support members and their families in times of need.
He also launched his personal initiative, the Path to Reading Project, to revive a culture of reading among journalists and the public.
His vision, he explained, would rest on four key pillars: empowerment, advertisement growth, visibility, and integrity.
“This is not a one-man mission. If we unite behind these values, there is nothing we cannot achieve,” he said, urging journalists to honour the sacrifices of PRINPAG’s founding pioneers by building a future worthy of their struggle.
Executives call for responsibility and innovation
Mr. Jeorge Wilson Kingson, Executive Secretary of PRINPAG, reminded the new leaders that their roles carried responsibility, not privilege.
“Being elected as executive is not about occupying positions but about carrying responsibility with humility, integrity, and vision,” he said.
He expressed hope that the new team would position PRINPAG as an indispensable force in Ghana’s media landscape through bold advocacy, innovation, and digital growth.
The outgoing President of PRINPAG, Edwin Arthur, also outlined his achievements during a six-year tenure.
These included the establishment of a permanent secretariat, exponential membership growth, creation of an active website and social media handles, seamless integration of online news portals, and a revised constitution. However, he admitted that structural, financial, and professional challenges remained.
He lamented the selective allocation of state advertising, which he argued undermines fairness and sustainability in the media sector.
He called for equal access to advertising opportunities for all newspapers and portals, not just a favoured few.
A sector at a crossroads
The swearing-in of the new executives comes at a time when Ghana’s private newspaper industry faces declining readership, shrinking revenues, and rising digital disruption.
Yet, as the ceremony revealed, there is also a strong appetite for reform, innovation, and collaboration.
With a renewed mandate and the weight of expectations on their shoulders, the new PRINPAG leaders will now have to prove that they can translate bold words into transformative action—reviving the relevance of Ghana’s private press in an era of change.
