Category: Education

 

 

 

By Adnan Adams Mohammed

 

In a strategic move to safeguard Ghana’s financial stability, the Private Newspaper and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) and the Bank of Ghana (BoG) have forged a new partnership to prioritize accuracy and ethical standards in economic reporting.

 

The initiative was solidified during a specialized training workshop held at the Peace Holiday Resort, Ada, on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The event, themed “Resetting the Economy: The Role of Journalists, News Publishers and Media Owners,” featured high-level contributions from the central bank aimed at aligning media narratives with national economic recovery efforts.

 

A “Launchpad” for Stability

 

Delivering an address on behalf of the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, the Advisor to the Governor, Dr. Francis Yao Kumah, underscored the progress made over the past year. He noted that Ghana enters 2026 on a stronger footing, with inflation plummeting from 23.8% in December 2024 to 5.4% in December 2025.

 

Furthermore, gross international reserves have strengthened to over US$13.9 billion, providing approximately 5.7 months of import cover. However, Dr. Kumah warned that these gains are merely a “launchpad”.

 

“Resetting the economy requires resetting expectations from short-termism to patience, and resetting behaviors across the information ecosystem that shapes public understanding,” he stated.

 

The Media as an Economic Anchor

 

The workshop highlighted the delicate nature of financial journalism, with the BoG emphasizing that “economic information carries weight”. Dr. Kumah argued that a well-informed media acts as an anchor for confidence by contextualizing data and countering misinformation that can trigger market volatility.

 

“Our expectation is not compliance but responsibility,” the Governor’s address noted, underscoring the need for accuracy, balance, and appropriateness of context. The Bank cautioned that incomplete or de-contextualized reporting—particularly regarding foreign exchange (FX) markets—can amplify uncertainty.

 

New Incentives for Excellence

 

To foster this “New Partnership for a New Phase,” the Bank of Ghana announced several proactive measures to support newsrooms:

 

Expanded Training: Scaling up specialized sessions on monetary policy, FX operations, and financial stability.

 

Editors’ & Producers’ Forum: Establishing a regular forum to provide media gatekeepers with the context needed to guide coverage before major policy cycles.

 

Annual Awards: Launching the Governor’s “Economic and Financial Story of the Year” Award. The winner will receive sponsorship to attend the IMF/World Bank Meetings, a move designed to encourage depth of analysis and clarity in reporting.

 

Strengthening the Bridge

 

PRINPAG leadership and workshop participants welcomed the central bank’s commitment to openness. The Bank’s communications team pledged to maintain open lines for timely clarifications and access to subject-matter experts to ensure every story is well-sourced and confidently delivered.

 

“Communication Is Policy”

 

Echoing these sentiments, the President of PRINPAG, Mr. David Tamakloe, delivered a powerful message centered on the mantra: “Communication Is Policy.”

 

He argued that for any economic policy to succeed, it must be communicated effectively and accurately to the citizenry. “The way we report economic issues can either build investor confidence or destroy it. As journalists, we are partners in national development, and our pens must be guided by the national interest,” Mr. Tamakloe said.

 

He noted that the workshop was part of PRINPAG’s broader agenda to build the capacity of its members, ensuring that private media outlets remain competitive and credible in an increasingly volatile information landscape.

 

Tackling Misinformation

 

The training session comes at a time when Ghana’s economic climate is under intense international and local scrutiny. Speakers at the event noted that “fake news” regarding exchange rates, inflation, and the banking sector often spreads faster than official rebuttals, creating a “perception-led” volatility in the markets.

 

Participants were taken through modules on interpreting financial statements, understanding Central Bank operations, and the ethics of financial gatekeeping.

 

Speaking to the participants, Dr. Bernard Ato Otabil, Director of Communications at the Bank of Ghana, underscored the delicate nature of financial journalism. He warned that in the modern era of rapid digital dissemination, irresponsible reporting could trigger unnecessary panic and destabilize the national economy.

 

“Economic reporting is not just about the numbers; it is about the impact those numbers have on lives and markets,” Dr. Otabil stated. He urged media practitioners to move away from sensationalism and instead focus on evidence-based analysis to help the public make informed decisions.

 

Dr. Otabil further highlighted that rising cases of misinformation—often fueled by social media—pose a significant threat to monetary policy. He challenged journalists to verify complex data with official sources before publication, noting that the BoG remains committed to transparency.

 

Participants see the workshop as a timely intervention to strengthen the bridge between policy-makers and the Fourth Estate, ensuring that the “Policy of Communication” serves as a tool for economic growth rather than a source of confusion.

 

As Ghana navigates a period of economic consolidation in 2026, the consensus from Ada was clear: when the media succeeds in its role, the public understands, and the economy functions better.