The Mahama-led administration has seen a wave of high-profile appointments of seasoned journalists and media professionals into key public service positions, reflecting a broader strategy to harness media expertise for national development and institutional communication.
Among them is Emefa Apawu, now serving as the Corporate Affairs Manager at the Petroleum Hub, and Raymond Acquah, who has taken up a role with the Technical and Communication Department at the Ministry of Finance.
Also making the shift is Lantan Papanko, appointed as Corporate Affairs Manager at the Ghana Publishing Company, where he is expected to steer public engagement and corporate strategy and Prince Minkah who has joined GoldBod as the Media Relations Officer.
In more high-profile appointments, media personality Randy Abbey has been named CEO of the Ghana Cocoa Board, a critical institution in the country’s agricultural and export economy.
Renowned broadcaster and tourism advocate Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey Santana, popularly known as Abeiku Santana, has also been named Acting Deputy Executive Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).
In this capacity, he supports Executive Director Maame Efua Houadjeto in executing government strategies within the tourism sector. Abeiku Santana, also dubbed Mr Tourism, boasts more than 23 years of experience in radio and television, notably at Okay FM.
Meanwhile, in the sports sector, renowned journalist Yaw Ampofo Ankrah has taken the helm as Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), with Veronica Commey appointed as Deputy Director General.
Another significant media figure, Paa Kwesi Asare, winner of the 2023 BBC Komla Dumor Award, now serves with the Communications Department at the Bank of Ghana, reinforcing the central bank’s public communication and media engagement efforts.
These appointments highlight the government’s recognition of the role of effective communication, public trust, and media professionalism in public service delivery.
Observers note that this trend could signal a shift in how the government communicates policies and interfaces with the public, drawing on the unique skills and networks of those with backgrounds in journalism and broadcasting.
