TLDR: Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has urged journalists to uphold professionalism, integrity, and critical thinking in their work, emphasizing that Artificial Intelligence (AI) should augment, not replace, human intellect and ethical standards in media. His call came during the 8th West Africa Media Excellence Awards (WAMECA 2025) in Accra, where he highlighted the need for robust ethical frameworks and legal safeguards in the evolving media landscape.
Accra, Ghana – In a significant address at the 8th West Africa Media Excellence Awards (WAMECA 2025) held in Accra on Saturday, October 11, 2025, Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, Mr. Samuel Nartey George (MP), issued a strong call to journalists to reinforce their commitment to professionalism, integrity, and critical thinking. His remarks come at a time when Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing the media sector, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and profound challenges.
Minister George underscored that while AI tools possess the capacity to significantly enhance productivity and streamline various journalistic processes, they must never be seen as a substitute for the fundamental human elements of research, creativity, and intellectual rigor. ‘AI is not meant to replace the hours of research it takes to produce a journalistic piece. It is not meant to replace human thinking. Unfortunately, many are mortgaging their thinking faculties to artificial intelligence, and it’s affecting the quality of work being produced,’ he stated emphatically.
The Minister’s message resonated with broader discussions within Ghana’s communication sector regarding the responsible integration of AI. Just weeks prior, at the 2025 PR Knowledge Sharing Conference in Accra, Minister George had emphasized that the future of AI would be shaped not merely by technological advancements but by how societies communicate its purpose and impact. He urged communicators to demystify AI, foster trust, and frame it as an enabler of opportunity rather than a threat, highlighting its potential for inclusive socio-economic development.
During his WAMECA address, Mr. George also implored emerging journalists to draw inspiration from the dedication and work ethic of veteran professionals who laid the groundwork for credible journalism in Ghana and across the West African region. ‘We cannot go below the standards set by those who came before us. Let that be your reflection tonight,’ he added, stressing the importance of maintaining high journalistic standards in the digital age.
The event also saw Mr. Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), announce that WAMECA 2025 received a remarkable 793 entries from 600 media organizations spanning 15 West African countries, underscoring the vibrant and competitive media landscape in the region.
The discourse around AI in Ghanaian journalism is multifaceted. Experts like Esther Cobbah, President of IPR Ghana, have cautioned that ‘If we don’t master AI, AI will master us,’ advocating for continuous learning and ethical application of the technology. The Ministry for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations is actively developing a National AI Strategy and has signed a $1 billion agreement with the UAE to establish Africa’s first AI Innovation Hub in the Greater Accra Region, demonstrating a proactive approach to harnessing AI’s potential. Efforts are also underway to develop Large Language Models (LLMs) in various Ghanaian and African languages to ensure culturally inclusive AI solutions.
However, the challenges are evident. A July 2025 report highlighted instances where AI tools like ChatGPT incorrectly identified Ghana’s Minister for Information, underscoring the critical need for journalists to verify AI-generated information. This reinforces the Minister’s call for critical thinking and human oversight, ensuring that judgment, empathy, and courage remain paramount in newsrooms.
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As AI continues to evolve, the Ghanaian media is at a crossroads, navigating opportunities to enhance investigative journalism, content diversity, and audience engagement, while simultaneously confronting the imperative to uphold ethical guidelines and preserve public trust against the spread of misinformation. The consensus remains that ethical, courageous humans, empowered by AI, are the true future of journalism.
