Bonsu Advocates Stronger Focus on Local Language Media

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Journalist of the Year, Philip Osei Bonsu, has urged broadcasters to pursue excellence in local-language programming, arguing that excellence should not be confined to English-language platforms.

Speaking in an interview following his recognition by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Bonsu reflected on the award, the need to preserve Ghana’s history and the demands of political moderation, stressing that journalists must remain loyal to facts while giving competing opinions a fair hearing.

“For me, this award demonstrates that local-language broadcasting can be done professionally, excellently and in a dignified manner.”

BBC Africa broadcasts in 11 languages, including English. According to him, BBC Swahili performs particularly well, showing that local languages can compete in professional broadcasting.

He strongly encouraged colleagues in mass-market radio to remain committed to truth, facts and professionalism, insisting that language should not limit their prospects.

Beyond the award, Bonsu called on journalists and media organisations to document the lives and contributions of influential Ghanaians, as the country approaches its 70th anniversary next year.

He urged media houses to invest in historical documentaries that preserve national memory for younger generations.

He cited the deaths of Ambassador Ray Kwaku and boxing official and actor Eddie Papo as reminders of the need to document national stories. Kwaku, he noted, served twice as president of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation, sponsored the Black Stars in the 1980s and helped nurture boxing world champion Joshua Clottey. Eddie Papo, whom he described as one of the finest international boxing ring officials, served as an executive of the WBC Ring Officials Council.

“Journalists must ensure that the stories of those who shaped our national identity are preserved for future generations.”

He warned that younger generations risk losing touch with people whose achievements shaped the country’s sporting and national identity. Some young people, he observed, do not know who Abedi Pele is, despite the football legend’s influence.

Bonsu argued that Ghanaian journalists should draw inspiration from local figures rather than continually looking abroad for examples of leadership and wisdom. He cited legal luminary Tsatsu Tsikata as one of the many Ghanaians whose contributions and reflections deserve wider attention.

Bonsu also addressed the challenges of moderating contentious political discussions, describing balance and the pursuit of answers as major professional challenges.

He explained that moderators must allow guests to express opinions without dictating their views but must intervene when participants misrepresent facts.

 He maintained that a journalist’s responsibility is to ensure accurate information reaches the public, even when corrections draw criticism.

He emphasised, “I always tell people that our loyalty is to facts and the truth.” Facts, he maintained, remain objective and should not be adjusted to accommodate personal opinions.

He noted that the role requires authority grounded in knowledge of the subjects under discussion. Over the past eight years, he disclosed, he had conducted close to 500 interviews, possibly more, across agriculture, the economy, technology and finance.

Bonsu rejected the assumption that radio presentation involves merely sitting behind a microphone and asking questions. He explained that interviews may arise spontaneously, requiring broadcasters to engage with unfamiliar subjects and varied professional backgrounds.

He cited national budget coverage as an example of the preparation required, noting that presenters may have to study the document late into the night before explaining its implications on air the following morning.

He maintained that broadcasters must accept the research and preparation demands that accompany the profession.

Addressing social media criticism of his Journalist of the Year recognition, Bonsu acknowledged comments from people who believed field reporters deserved the honour because of their direct coverage of events.

He indicated that his reflections on the award were intended to address some of those concerns, while emphasising the demands of broadcast journalism.

For Bonsu, the recognition carries a wider responsibility, to uphold professional standards, defend factual accuracy and ensure that Ghana’s stories and history remain accessible to future generations.

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