Ashanti Regional GJA secures land waiver for proposed press centre

The Ashanti Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has secured a waiver on land allocated by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for the proposed Ashanti Press Centre, marking a significant milestone in efforts to establish a permanent office for journalists in the region.

Chairman of the association, Kofi Adu Domfeh, announced at the Ashanti Media Excellence Awards 2026, where he called on corporate institutions, development partners, philanthropists and individuals to support the next phase of the project.

Mr. Domfeh described the proposed centre as more than a physical structure, indicating it would serve as a hub for professional training, collaboration, media development and the advancement of journalism in the region.

He expressed profound gratitude to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for the gesture and acknowledged Access Bank Ghana and Fidelity Bank Ghana for providing seed capital to support the project's take-off.

However, he noted that additional resources would be required to move the project from planning to construction.

He therefore appealed for financial contributions, building materials, technical expertise and other forms of practical assistance to help realise the vision.

“The Ashanti Press Centre must become our collective legacy. We invite you to be part of it,” he said.

The chairman's appeal comes at a time when the media landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by digital platforms, artificial intelligence and growing concerns about misinformation and declining public trust.

The proposed Ashanti Press Centre is expected to provide a dedicated institutional space to support journalists and strengthen the media profession in the region.

Beyond serving as a physical base for the Association, the project is intended to create opportunities for professional development, collaboration and improved journalistic practice.

Credibility remains journalism's greatest asset

Additionally, Mr. Domfeh highlighted the importance of credibility, ethical conduct and accountability in journalism.

He observed that artificial intelligence was creating new opportunities for research, production and storytelling, while also making it easier to generate fake images, fabricate audio, manipulate videos and circulate misinformation.

In such an environment, he argued, credibility would remain the defining difference between professional journalism and the growing volume of online content.

“AI can generate content, but journalists must provide verification, context, judgement and accountability,” he said.

He urged journalists to embrace technological innovation without compromising accuracy, ethics or the public interest.

The GJA Chairman also stressed the importance of credible journalism in addressing challenges confronting communities in the region, including illegal mining, environmental degradation, unemployment, public health concerns and governance deficits.

He called on journalists to investigate critical issues, ask difficult questions, amplify neglected voices and hold those in positions of authority accountable.