The Government will assist the state-owned media to develop its full potential, Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State for Media Relations said on Wednesday during her first official visit to the Ghana News Agency.

Ms Ohene told the Board of Directors during an interaction that the government fully understands the worth of information and would assist the media in every way possible.

She said: "GNA has been noted to be credible and reliable. That is a good advertisement and we will help it to be more credible."

The Minister restated her assurance that she would not interfere with appointments or editorial policy. "I am anxious to help and will be available."

She said the proposed commercialisation of the Agency would be on course, stressing that the "GNA will have to change dramatically" from dependency on government subvention to a self-supporting organisation.

Ms Ohene said she has read the report of the consultants on the commercialisation and "I will watch with interest how the change evolves."

Mrs Georgina Baiden, Chairperson of the Board, appealed to the Minister to fast track the request to update the equipment of the agency.

She said GNA's machines have become obsolete making its operations non-competitive in a fast changing media scene.

Mr Robert Kafui Johnson, General Manager, said news agencies are still relevant in national development and in promoting good governance and called for support for the GNA. He said, "the staff are willing and ready to work. They need the right tools to deliver the quality service GNA is reputed for."

The minister, accompanied by the board members, toured the various sections of the agency and interacted with the staff during her two-and- half- hour visit.