The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has commended the Daily Graphic for its 75 years of excellence, describing the newspaper as a pillar of credibility, integrity and innovation in the country’s media landscape.
He lauded the company for its consistency and resilience over the decades, noting that the paper’s longevity was a result of values that had stood the test of time.
“The story of Graphic@75 carries an important lesson for all media houses in Ghana. Graphic has built the trust of generations by staying true to the principles of accuracy and integrity,” he said.
Mr Debrah said this yesterday at the 75th anniversary celebration of the Daily Graphic in Accra, where he joined the management, staff and board of the company to cut the anniversary cake in honour of the milestone.
Accuracy, balance
“Graphic has provided accurate, credible and balanced information that has shaped public opinion, guided national debate, and strengthened democratic governance.
From reporting on our independence struggles through political transitions to the modern challenges of development, the Daily Graphic has remained a reliable companion to the Ghanaian people,” he said.
He also emphasised that Graphic was living proof that media organisations could achieve commercial success while fulfilling their responsibility to society.
He, therefore, urged other media houses to emulate the model set by the GCGL in balancing profitability with public interest.
He further described the Daily Graphic as a national institution whose role in shaping public discourse and chronicling the nation’s history remained unmatched.
“Graphic’s journey reflects not only the evolution of journalism in Ghana but also the importance of staying committed to values that matter,” he added.
Digital media
Touching on the future, Mr Debrah commended GCGL for embracing digital media, describing it as evidence of an institution poised for relevance in a rapidly changing communications environment.
He, however, expressed surprise that, over the company’s long history, it had received little direct support from the government, and assured management and staff that he would carry that concern to the President.
Looking ahead, the Chief of Staff called on the Daily Graphic to play an active role in shaping national thinking around the government’s vision of a 24-hour economy.
He explained that the policy was designed to accelerate growth, create jobs and expand opportunities in the light of the country’s growing population and development needs.
“I appeal to Graphic to use its platforms to help prepare the mindset of our people to embrace the 24-hour economy as a national agenda.
If we get it right, it will not only boost GDP but also create countless jobs for our citizens,” he said.
Govt commitment
The Chief of Staff emphasised that the government recognised the media as a key partner in national development.
He pledged the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the media to thrive freely, independently and responsibly.
“We will continue to work with stakeholders to strengthen media freedom, ensure the safety of journalists and support capacity building to help media professionals adapt to the fast-changing digital landscape.
We also encourage innovation so that traditional media like Graphic can embrace new technologies while preserving the values of truth, fairness and balance,” he stated.
What’s next?
The Managing Director of GCGL, Ato Afful, described the milestone as both a celebration of history and a call to the future.
He noted that the company bore the weight of a proud legacy while carrying the responsibility to innovate for generations to come.
“Today, we note that Graphic is even more important with the endless onslaught of vested interests and unverified views on independent journalism, which remains a cornerstone of successful democracy,” he said.
“For 75 years, we have strived to keep Ghanaians informed, and we must now ask ourselves—what’s next?” he asked.
Mr Afful outlined four key pillars that would shape the company’s future.
These, he explained, included strengthening collaboration with clients and stakeholders while retrofitting production infrastructure; building staff capacity with digital and multimedia skills; reimagining media delivery by blending print and digital to meet the needs of evolving audiences and ensuring profitability to sustain the company and its public service mandate.
He further highlighted the need for state support, noting that, unlike some competitors, GCGL had not benefited from government subvention over the years despite its critical public service mandate.
Looking ahead, Mr Afful pledged that the company would drive connectivity, engagement and innovation to empower individuals, businesses and communities across the country and Africa.
Africa’s digital storytelling
The Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission (NMC), George Sarpong, also urged GCGL to take a leading role in shaping Africa’s digital storytelling and continental integration.
He said the next phase of the company’s work must be driven by a digital-first approach to journalism.
“It should be digital first, not digital also,” he stated, stressing that no other publicly owned newspaper in Africa had defined its society the way Graphic had done in Ghana.
Mr Sarpong argued that just as the European Union built a media system to foster unity after years of conflict, Africa also required an institution that could promote integration and shape a shared identity.
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