Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has challenged journalists to remain fearless and independent in holding government and public officials accountable, insisting that the media must serve as watchdogs rather than lapdogs.
The media, he said, remains an essential pillar of Ghana’s constitutional democracy and must not compromise its responsibility to scrutinise the exercise of political power.
Delivering an address at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, on Saturday, November 7, 2026, Mr Bagbin stressed that power must always be subjected to checks, scrutiny and accountability.
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“I have consistently maintained that power is a monster that must be properly managed. In a constitutional democracy, the exercise of power must be subjected to checks, scrutiny and accountability. The media is an essential part of that democratic safeguard,” he stated.
Quoting celebrated journalist Amy Goodman, the Speaker reminded journalists that their responsibility is not to cosy up to those in authority but to serve as a check on government.
“In other words, you are entreated to be watchdogs and not lapdogs,” he declared.
Mr Bagbin praised Ghanaian journalists for their contributions to exposing corruption, human rights abuses and institutional failures through investigative and data-driven reporting.
He cited investigations into illegal mining (galamsey), child abuse in schools and institutional misconduct as examples of journalism that had helped trigger policy corrections and administrative accountability.
He commended media practitioners who have refused to sacrifice the truth for sensationalism and those who continue to give a voice to marginalised groups while exposing the misuse of public resources.
The Speaker applauded journalists who risk professional and physical intimidation to uncover wrongdoing, describing their work as critical to protecting Ghana’s democracy.
However, he cautioned that the responsibility to hold public officials accountable must not be abused through misinformation, falsehood or politically motivated reporting.
“The power to inform must never be misconstrued as power to misinform. The freedom to criticise must never be confused with the licence to destroy reputations through falsehood,” he warned.
He urged journalists to prioritise verified facts, constructive dialogue and responsible reporting, particularly amid the growing influence of social media and online news platforms.
Mr Bagbin also warned that misinformation and hate speech in the digital space could fuel ethnic tensions, polarise communities and threaten national stability.
He called on the media to act as a trusted source of verified information, helping citizens distinguish facts from falsehoods and make informed decisions.
The Speaker encouraged journalists to move beyond sensational political exchanges and partisan confrontations to explain parliamentary proceedings, legislation and public policies to ordinary Ghanaians.
He reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to maintaining an open relationship with the media, describing journalists as indispensable partners in Ghana’s democratic development.
In a related development, Speaker Alban Bagbin received a Special Honorary Award at the 30th GJA Media Awards, which was presented to him by President John Dramani Mahama.
He was honored for his contributions to the welfare and operations of the journalism profession, as well as Parliament’s support for media development.