The United States Embassy in Ghana is intensifying its media outreach, seeking stronger ties with the country’s private press and providing clarity on evolving U.S. policies, particularly in diplomacy, trade, and visa regulations.
During a working visit to the National Secretariat of the Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) on Thursday, August 7, 2025, U.S. Embassy Press Attaché Matthew Asada met with the association’s national executives to explore collaboration opportunities and address concerns over recent policy shifts.
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Mr. Asada reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to open, transparent communication with Ghana’s diverse media landscape — from state-owned to private outlets. He highlighted a notable shift in U.S. foreign policy from aid-focused engagements to trade and commercial diplomacy, a change that will also shape future media training and support programs.
On migration issues, he clarified misconceptions about proposed U.S. visa policy changes, including the much-discussed $250 visa integrity fee, stressing it has not yet been implemented. He also addressed adjustments to visa validity periods and the reciprocity schedule for tourist visas, pledging closer cooperation with PRINPAG to ensure the public receives accurate and timely information.
PRINPAG President, Lawyer Andrew Edwin Arthur, welcomed the outreach and proposed collective briefing sessions for editors to help demystify complex policies. He also outlined challenges facing Ghana’s private media sector, including declining advertising revenues, reduced subscriptions from government institutions, and managerial capacity gaps among publishers. He revealed that PRINPAG is in talks with the government to convene a media forum to address these concerns.
Both sides agreed to strengthen communication channels. The Embassy pledged to engage PRINPAG more regularly, while the association committed to mobilising its members for broader reach and effective collaboration.
Also present at the meeting were PRINPAG Vice President Michael Antwi-Agyei, Executive Secretary Jeorge Wilson Kingson, Organising Secretary Emmanuel Opare Djan, Financial Secretary Naana Aklerh I, and Madam Joyce Asiedu from the Office of the Press Attaché.
This renewed partnership marks a more collaborative chapter in Ghana–U.S. media relations, grounded in open dialogue, accurate policy communication, and mutual support in navigating an evolving diplomatic and media environment.