President John Dramani Mahama has recalled his early journalism training at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, describing the state broadcaster as a place that holds a special place in his personal and professional life.
According to the President, his relationship with GBC dates back to 1986, when he first entered the corporation as a young intern while pursuing postgraduate studies in communication.
Speaking during a working visit to the headquarters of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation in Accra on January 8, 2026, President Mahama reflected on his formative years in journalism.
“I’m quite familiar with GBC. I first walked through the gates of GBC in 1986 as a young intern. I was doing my postgraduate in communication studies at the University of Ghana and I was brought here for internship.”
He said his time at GBC was the era of seasoned journalists like Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, among others.
President Mahama noted that his experience at the state broadcaster laid the foundation for his journalism career and forged a lasting bond with the institution.
“This is where I cut my teeth on early journalism and so of course GBC occupies a sensitive spot in my heart.”
Beyond his time as an intern, the President recalled that he also served in supervisory roles over the communications sector during his years in government.
“Aside from that I was the supervising minister for several years. First as deputy minister of communication then as minister of communications.”
He added the visit was driven by concerns brought to him Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, about the condition of public media institutions and the need for him to see for himself.
“Definitely, as President the issue of public media has been occupying our attention and Minister Ofosu Kwakye has brought the issue of the state of the public media to cabinet a few times.”
President Mahama explained that the visit, which begins with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, will extend to other media organisations like the Graphic Corporation and other public media institutions.
The President commended the broadcaster for its service to the nation over the years.
“We appreciate the work GBC does and we believe that we must discuss a new funding model to see how we can make you better able to discharge the mandate that you have.”
