Media assets

Television: GTV, GTV Sports+, GBC 24, GTV Life, GTV Govern, Obonu TV

Radio: National: Radio 1, Radio 2; Local: Uniiq FM, Volta Star, Twin City Radio, Radio Central, Radio Savannah, Garden City Radio, URA Radio, Radio Upper West, Sunrise FM, Obonu FM, Radio BAR

State Media Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

GBC is a wholly state-owned enterprise. Its highest governing authority is the Board of Directors, whose members are appointed by the National Media Commission (NMC), Ghana’s constitutional body mandated to insulate the media from governmental control.

However, the NMC itself is composed of members nominated by the President and approved by Parliament, and it operates under the purview of the Ministry of Finance. The Director-General of GBC is appointed by the NMC in consultation with the President—effectively ensuring that executive influence remains significant in top-level managerial decisions.

As of June 2025, the position of Director-General remains unchanged, with Professor Amin Alhassan continuing his tenure despite growing calls for leadership renewal within both media and civil society sectors. The GBC Workers’ Union publicly declared Prof. Alhassan “persona non grata,” accusing him of mismanagement, poor staff welfare, and dilapidated facilities. They demanded his immediate removal, citing workplace deterioration and a breakdown in morale.

Source of funding and budget

GBC is financed through a blend of state subsidies, advertising revenue, and—until recently—television license fees. The collection of such fees was suspended in February 2021 due to widespread non-compliance, shifting the broadcaster’s financial burden squarely onto the state. By 2023, over 50% of GBC’s budget was funded directly by government allocations.

• 2019: Total budget: GHS 70.76 million (US$13.7 million); 28% from commercial income.
• 2020: GHS 7 million (US$1.1 million) reportedly spent on public service programming.
• 2021: State allocation of GHS 64 million, primarily covering staff salaries; debt levels reached GHS 88 million (US$14.5 million).
• 2023: Government funding reached GHS 73.1 million (US$6.4 million).
• 2025 (est.): No updated budget data had been officially released by mid-year, but parliamentary debates in May 2025 revealed concerns over an anticipated shortfall of GHS 20 million due to stagnant commercial revenues and increasing operational costs.

Efforts to reinstate a sustainable funding model—either through restructured license fees or digital subscription levies—remain stalled in legislative limbo as of June 2025.

Editorial independence

Despite GBC’s official editorial policy which pledges impartiality and public service orientation, the broadcaster continues to face significant political pressure that undermines its independence. Government interference typically manifests through informal directives and political pressure—often channeled through the NMC or directly from the Ministry of Information.

In January 2024, GBC was heavily criticized for the last-minute cancellation of an interview with Nana Kwame Bediako, leader of the New Force movement, allegedly under pressure from senior government figures. The incident reignited public debate about the broadcaster’s editorial autonomy and transparency.

In March 2025, GBC launched a digital-first news portal, GBC360, aimed at younger, urban audiences. Critics consulted for this report noted, however, that its initial editorial lineup reflected little departure from GBC’s traditionally government-aligned content.

As of 2025, no statutory safeguards or independent oversight mechanisms have been implemented to protect GBC’s editorial integrity. Repeated promises by GBC leadership to resist undue influence have not been matched by tangible institutional reforms. Internal editorial boards reportedly exist but lack the autonomy or legal backing to counter government pressure effectively.

June 2025

Media assets

Publishing: Graphic Online, The Mirror, Graphic Showbiz, Graphic Sports, Junior Graphic, Graphic Business, Nsɛmpa

State Media Matrix Typology

Captured Public/State-Managed or State-Owned (CaPu)

Ownership and governance

GCGL is a wholly state-owned enterprise. Its governance is overseen by a Board of Directors whose members are appointed by the government-backed National Media Commission (NMC), a constitutional body designed to oversee media independence but often perceived as politically influenced. The President of Ghana also plays a decisive role in appointing the Managing Director of GCGL, a process that has long drawn scrutiny for undermining institutional autonomy.

In April 2024, Cabinet approved a plan to partially privatize GCGL by floating a minority stake on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE)—a move hailed as a potential turning point in the company’s evolution toward financial independence and editorial transparency. However, as of June 2025, no initial public offering (IPO) has materialized. Delays are reportedly due to pending internal audits and lack of clarity on governance reforms demanded by institutional investors.

As of June 2025, Ato Afful remains Managing Director, though industry insiders suggest that a reshuffle is under consideration should IPO plans move forward.

Source of funding and budget

Although publicly owned, GCGL operates on a commercial basis and does not receive direct state subsidies. On the contrary, it pays annual dividends to the government, distinguishing it from other state-owned media entities in the region. The company’s primary revenue streams include newspaper sales and advertising, which respectively account for approximately 48% and 52% of total income.

• 2019 Turnover: GHS 71.34 million (US$ 13.9 million)
• 2020 Turnover: GHS 57.42 million; net loss: GHS 1.94 million
• 2021 Profit: GHS 2.3 million (following aggressive cost-cutting)
• 2023 Revenue estimate: Unofficial data suggests modest recovery, driven by increased ad spending during the 2024 election cycle.
• 2025 Outlook: A strategic review initiated in February 2025 aims to diversify income through digital expansion, but the results remain pending.

In March 2025, GCGL announced the launch of a new integrated digital newsroom initiative, Graphic Digital First, targeting tech-savvy readers with mobile-optimized content.

Editorial independence

Despite its commercial posture, GCGL remains editorially beholden to the state. Its flagship title, Daily Graphic, has been widely criticized for parroting government talking points and marginalizing dissenting voices. Editorial leadership, appointed via the politically influenced NMC, has shown little inclination to distance the publisher from the ruling party’s agenda.

An ad hoc media content analysis from 2024 revealed an overwhelming pro-government bias, with front-page coverage often featuring ministers, presidential tours, or development projects framed in overtly favorable terms. No robust statutory framework or independent body currently exists to safeguard GCGL’s editorial independence or enforce accountability standards.

In 2025, although no major censorship scandal emerged, newsroom sources reported persistent internal self-censorship and low morale among journalists seeking more balanced editorial direction. The situation was further compounded by the political overtones surrounding the delayed IPO.

June 2025

Despite its long history, NTC’s relevance and commercial viability have steadily eroded in the face of increasing media competition and shrinking advertising markets.

Media assets

Publishing: The Ghanaian Times, The Spectator

State Media Matrix Typology

Captured Public/State-Managed or State-Owned (CaPu)

Ownership and governance

NTC is a wholly state-owned enterprise, registered with Ghana’s State Enterprises Commission. Its governance framework is tightly linked to the country’s political establishment. The National Media Commission (NMC), which reports to Parliament but operates under significant executive influence, appoints both the Board of Directors and the Managing Director—formally in consultation with the President.

In March 2022, the NMC reconstituted the NTC board, but as of June 2025, no further reshuffles have been officially reported. Industry insiders consulted for this report, however, suggest tensions have been simmering between editorial staff and top management, with calls for modernization and operational transparency growing louder.

Source of funding and budget

NTC operates without direct state subsidies and is expected to sustain itself through advertising and circulation revenues. However, its commercial model remains fragile:

• 2019 Revenue: GHS 12.35 million (approx. US$ 2.4 million)
• 2020 Revenue: GHS 11.97 million, of which 74% came from advertising
• 2023–2024: No audited financials have been made public, but internal sources indicated declining ad revenue and rising overhead costs
• 2025 (YTD): Government audits of state-owned enterprises in May 2025 flagged NTC as “financially underperforming,” prompting Cabinet discussions about potential strategic partnerships or partial outsourcing of printing operations

Efforts to revamp the company’s print infrastructure and adopt a digital-first strategy have reportedly stalled due to limited capital and bureaucratic inertia.

A May 2025 government white paper listed NTC among state media companies requiring “urgent restructuring” due to low returns and shrinking influence.

Editorial independence

NTC’s editorial agenda is widely perceived as aligned with government messaging. The Ghanaian Times, its flagship publication, has often been accused of lacking critical journalism and instead serving as a soft-power arm for ruling party narratives.

A 2024 content analysis conducted for this report found that:

• Government officials were featured in over 60% of front-page stories
• No major critical or investigative reporting on public sector corruption was published over a six-month period
• Opinion pages preponderantly favored state-aligned viewpoints, with no identifiable space for civil society, opposition, or independent commentary

Despite repeated public statements by NTC executives defending their editorial integrity, the lack of statutory protections or third-party oversight mechanisms renders such claims tenuous.

June 2025

Media assets

News agency: Ghana News Agency

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

GNA is a fully state-owned entity. The governance structure is tightly interwoven with the political establishment: its Board of Directors and General Manager are appointed by the National Media Commission (NMC), in consultation with the President. While the NMC is constitutionally mandated to shield media institutions from direct political interference, it remains widely seen as a body susceptible to government influence, especially when it comes to appointments at state-run media houses.

No structural reforms have been introduced in 2025 to enhance the agency’s operational autonomy or insulate it from executive control.

Source of funding and budget

GNA remains almost entirely dependent on the state for its financial survival. Its revenue model is by a large margin reliant on government subvention, with negligible income generated from commercial sources or subscription services.

• 2019 Allocation: GHS 4.42 million (approx. US$ 860,000) – virtually its full budget
• 2020 Allocation: GHS 6.23 million out of a total GHS 7.24 million budget (approx. US$ 1.2 million)
• 2023 Allocation: GHS 11.2 million (approx. US$ 983,000), according to the national budget report
• 2025 Projection: No official figures released as of June 2025, but GNA has reportedly submitted a revised budget proposal seeking an increase of 20% to meet salary arrears and upgrade outdated IT infrastructure

In April 2025, Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee expressed concern over GNA’s “static revenue strategy” and its failure to develop independent income streams. Calls were made for the agency to modernize its syndication model and explore content licensing opportunities with private media outlets and international wire services.

Editorial independence

GNA’s editorial posture is widely viewed as an extension of government public relations. The agency’s output remains heavily slanted in favor of official narratives, with coverage frequently highlighting presidential engagements, ministerial tours, and government development projects.

A 2024 content audit conducted for this report found no critical or investigative reporting was found in any of the news segments sampled.

Despite occasional public affirmations of editorial independence by GNA leadership, there are no domestic statutes or mechanisms for independent review of its content. The absence of a legally mandated oversight body renders GNA’s claims of autonomy largely symbolic.

June 2025