Upper East GJA Awards: Media houses must invest in journalists for stronger investigative reporting – Dr. Apaak

‎Deputy Minister for Education Dr. Clement Abas Apaak has encouraged media houses to provide journalists with the resources and editorial support needed to produce stronger investigative and development journalism.
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‎Speaking at the 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards on Saturday October 3, 2026,Dr Apaak said “Quality journalism needs time, transport, access to information and editors willing to ask the hard questions.”
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‎Dr. Apaak said the responsibility for quality journalism should not rest solely on individual reporters, stressing that journalists require institutional backing to properly investigate issues and hold authorities accountable.
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‎He explained that editors and media managers should be prepared to challenge reporters on the sources and accuracy of information used in their stories by asking questions such as, “where did you get this figure, what does the other side say, can you prove it?”
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‎According to him, stronger investigative and development journalism in the Upper East Region would require deliberate investment in the journalists responsible for producing such work.
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‎“If we want stronger investigative and development journalism out of the Upper East Region, we must invest in the journalists who are expected to produce it,” Apaak said.
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‎He also encouraged journalists to continue returning to the communities they report on, follow up on issues and establish whether problems identified in their reports have been addressed.
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‎The Deputy Minister said the impact of journalism should not be measured only by awards or recognition, but also by whether reporting leads to answers, action and greater attention to people whose concerns might otherwise remain unheard.