18-Member National Media Commission Begins with Historic Appointment
On May 28, 2025, Justice Noble Jerome Nkrumah of the Court of Appeal administered the oath of allegiance and the Official Oath to an 18-member National Media Commission (NMC) at the Supreme Court in Accra. The commission elected Prof. Akua Biritwum as its chairperson, marking her as the first female chair since the NMC’s establishment in 1993.
Prof. Biritwum, an Associate Professor at the University of Cape Coast, serves as one of two presidential representatives alongside Richard Mawuli Quashigah. Other members include Eva Okyere (Ghana Bar Association), Ernest Owusu Addo (Private Press Publishers), and Rev. Ruby Amable (Christian Group), among representatives from various sectors.
Justice Nkrumah urged the commission to uphold its mandate to safeguard media freedom, ensure diverse viewpoints, and combat disinformation. The NMC, with five female members, reflects its largest gender representation yet, as noted by Executive Secretary George Sarpong, who highlighted ongoing transformations in media regulation.
Sarpong outlined achievements, including setting core standards, launching a media app for real-time monitoring and journalist safety, and advancing broadcasting legislation. The app tracks journalist safety during events like elections, supported by government efforts to strengthen the media industry.
Prof. Biritwum, a distinguished scholar with a doctorate from Maastricht University, brings expertise in gender and labor studies. Her leadership is expected to guide the NMC in fostering a vibrant media landscape, with the commission focused on enforcing regulations and enhancing monitoring systems.