In recent developments, GhanaWeb, one of Ghana’s leading news platforms, is reportedly no longer maintaining its traditional neutrality in political reporting.
This shift allegedly comes after the site’s founder, Robert Bellaart, claimed in a letter that the website has transformed into a supportive outlet for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his political aspirations.
Bellaart’s letter disclosed that ownership of AfricaWeb Holding BV, GhanaWeb’s parent company, was legally transferred to Maame Yaa Antwi in November 2022, following a visit to a public notary in Amsterdam.
Antwi’s husband, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, who is purportedly connected to the ownership, appointed his wife as the sole shareholder, allegedly as a front to obscure political ties.
Initially, Bellaart says he was assured by Dr. Afriyie that GhanaWeb would remain politically neutral, with him retained as CEO to guarantee objective content.
However, he claims that this promise was breached when he was removed from his position in December 2023, replaced by Antwi’s brother, David Antwi, as CEO. Since this change in leadership, Bellaart alleges that GhanaWeb’s editorial direction has increasingly favored Dr. Bawumia, compromising its objectivity.
This situation has raised questions about the role of private ownership in media influence in Ghana, with critics arguing that GhanaWeb’s alignment could impact public perception and transparency in the media landscape.
The platform’s alleged shift from neutrality has prompted both political and public reactions, as GhanaWeb has long been viewed as an independent voice in Ghanaian media.
