President John Dramani Mahama has announced that, Ghana will become the first African country to make a financial contribution to the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) — a move that underscores the country’s commitment to promoting press freedom, transparency, and the integrity of information.

Announcing the decision at the Paris Peace Forum, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama said the contribution demonstrates Ghana’s conviction that a free and independent media is vital to the survival of democracy and good governance.

The President emphasized that the contribution is not only symbolic but represents Ghana’s determination to take tangible action in defending truth, sustaining trust, and supporting independent journalism worldwide.

President Mahama’s announcement comes amid renewed global efforts to bolster independent media, with the IFPIM targeting €130 million between 2026 and 2028 to support journalism that serves the public interest.

President Mahama noted that the fight against misinformation and disinformation has become one of the defining challenges of the modern era, warning that falsehoods are increasingly shaping elections, distorting public health responses, and undermining global efforts against climate change.

“Disinformation is not an abstract issue,” he cautioned. “It fuels conflict, erodes public confidence in science and governance, and weakens democracy itself.”

He also called on other nations to follow Ghana’s example in treating the defense of truth as a shared global responsibility, mentioned that, the world must invest in truth as deliberately as it invests in infrastructure, energy, or defense.

By: Sarah Adwoa Akuetteh:

The Africa Extractives Media Fellowship (AEMF) was officially launched on Monday, October 28, 2025, at the Australian High Commission in Accra, marking a significant step toward strengthening journalism in Africa’s extractive sector.

Speaking at the launch, Program Lead Kwakye Afreh-Nuamah revealed that the six-month fully in-person fellowship, spearheaded by NewsWire Africa, attracted over 300 applications from journalists across Ghana.

He noted that the initiative aims to equip 30 selected participants 60 percent of whom are women with practical skills in data-driven reporting, sustainability, and gender-sensitive journalism.

According to Mr. Afreh-Nuamah, the fellowship seeks to nurture “a new generation of African journalists equipped to shape the continent’s extractive narrative with courage, accuracy, and empathy.”

A Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, who graced the event, commended the program as a model of international collaboration and national development.

She emphasized that government remains committed to ensuring that Ghana’s extractive resources benefit both current and future generations, highlighting transparency, inclusion, and youth empowerment as critical pillars of democratic growth.

The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Berenice Owen-Jones, underscored the importance of media in promoting accountability and peace. “A responsive and inclusive media does more than inform it holds power to account and fosters peace through understanding,” she said. She also noted that over 500 Ghanaians have benefited from Australian Government scholarships, underscoring the strong educational and professional ties between both nations.

Also in attendance was the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, who urged journalists to prioritize ethical reporting, gender inclusion, and accountability in their coverage of Africa’s extractive industries.

The AEMF, through hands-on training, mentorship, and field exposure, is expected to bridge the knowledge gap in extractive sector reporting, fostering transparency and amplifying the voices of communities impacted by resource activities.

The Founder and General Overseer of Believers House of Worship International, Rev. Abraham Lamptey, has been consecrated into the office of Apostle on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

Having served as a Minister of God for nearly three decades, the Apostolic Fathers in the Charismatic fraternity in Ghana deemed him worthy of the elevation in recognition of his dedication and service to the Kingdom of God.

Popularly known for his powerful worship, preaching, leadership, and multilingual delivery of the Word, Apostle Lamptey’s consecration ceremony took place at the Believers House of Worship International, Spintex, on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

The solemn event was officiated by his spiritual father, Apostle General Sam Korankye Ankrah, and graced by other eminent men of God, including Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, Bishop Nanasei Opoku Sarkodie, Bishop Adonteng Boateng, Apostle Amoako Atta and more.

During the service, Apostle Lamptey was charged to preach the gospel in and out of season, win souls, heal the sick, raise the dead, and dedicate babies and businesses to the glory of God.

SOT… …APOSTLE GENERAL SAM KORANKYE ANKRAH

In an interview, the newly consecrated Apostle emphasized that the elevation comes with new responsibilities and deeper commitments to the work of God. He urged Christians to serve as each other’s keeper, desist from unhealthy competition within the body of Christ, and remain focused on pleasing their Maker.

SOT… APOSTLE LAMPTEY

Mrs. Gloria Kafui Lamptey, wife of the Apostle, described the elevation as not merely a moment of celebration but a renewed call to duty in the vineyard of God.

SOT .. MRS. LAMPTEY