We should avoid creating a big bureaucracy around Media Development Fund – George Sarpong

The Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission (NMC), George Sarpong, has urged a lean management structure for the Media Development Fund.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, he proposed a small, credible committee to oversee the fund. Its members should understand the media, manage resources and attract additional funding.

“We need to decide whether we want to create a bureaucracy around this fund. That won't be my best suggestion.”

His comments follow President John Mahama’s announcement of GH¢10 million in seed funding in the 2027 Budget to reactivate the fund.

Announced at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association Media Awards, the funding is intended to support journalists’ welfare, professional development, investigative reporting, digital literacy and safety training.

Mr Sarpong said the profession already has highly qualified, credible people who can help manage the fund. The committee should be accountable to the profession through its stakeholders.

“That governance architecture that we create must also in turn develop very transparent mechanisms for grants or awards.”

He called for funding decisions to be guided by evidence of a media organisation’s work.

Drawing on his experience at the National Media Commission, he recalled developing a Credibility Measurement Index. It tracked coverage of subjects including children’s issues, agriculture and health.

He proposed returning to that approach to establish which organisations had demonstrated commitment to particular areas of reporting.

He explained that such evidence could guide support for a newsroom seeking to improve its maternal health coverage. Its existing work would help establish whether funding could strengthen its reporting.

Accountability must also extend to organisations receiving support.

“If we are going to give a grant to any media organisation, that media organisation itself must have systems that support accountability.”

George Sarpong said the small management group should understand the media’s evolution and what it needs to improve.

It should also include people capable of raising additional resources.

“Plus, people who also have a fundraising capacity to be able to mobilise more funds into the Media Development Fund,” he said.