The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has announced a package of professional development opportunities for journalists as part of efforts to improve economic and financial reporting in the country.
The initiative, announced by BoG Governor Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards on Saturday, November 7, includes international exposure, professional fellowships, further study opportunities, and exchanges with global media organisations.
Under the Governor’s Economic and Financial Story of the Year Award, the selected journalist will receive sponsorship to attend either the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings or Annual Meetings, alongside a laptop computer and a one-year internet data subscription.
The package will also provide opportunities for professional fellowships with institutions such as the Thomson Foundation and the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, as well as accredited local journalism training centres.
Scholarship opportunities for further studies in media, communications and journalism-related fields will also be available, alongside professional exchange programmes with international media organisations, including Bloomberg and Reuters.
“Our objective is simple: to invest in the development of journalists who can continue to elevate the quality of economic and financial reporting in Ghana,” Dr Asiama said.
He explained that the award was established to encourage reporting that deepens public understanding of economic and financial developments, promotes financial literacy and contributes constructively to national policy discussions.
The Governor noted that accurate and balanced reporting was essential in helping citizens understand complex economic issues, including monetary policy decisions, inflation trends, financial sector reforms, exchange rate movements and digital financial innovations.
“Professional journalism serves as society’s compass. It helps citizens distinguish facts from falsehood, evidence from speculation, and informed analysis from sensationalism,” he said.
He added that communication remained one of the most important responsibilities of central banks, noting that policies were more effective when clearly understood by the public.
“Our policies are most effective when they are clearly understood by the public. Transparency, credibility, and accountability require open and effective engagement with all stakeholders, including the media,” Dr Asiama stated.
He commended Ghanaian journalists for their growing contribution to business, finance and economic policy reporting through investigative journalism, analytical features, broadcast discussions, and digital storytelling.
