Mrs Maria Kwame Gwira, a Celebrated communications strategist and media development advocate, will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 World Press Freedom Day celebration for the Volta and Oti regions, taking place on Saturday, May 3 in Ho.
Mrs. Gwira, who served as the first Director of Public Affairs at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) from 2019 to 2024, is also the Executive Director of Dede Media Foundation, a non-profit focused on media capacity building and civic empowerment.
She will speak on the theme: “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”
The celebration, which will be held at the GJA Press Centre in Ho, will bring together journalists, media professionals, development partners, civil society groups, and students to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the media landscape globally and locally.
With an illustrious career that spans over two decades, Mrs. Gwira brings rich experience in both media practice and international development communication.

She has worked with globally renowned institutions including The Washington Post, International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, African Peer Review Mechanism (AU), and USAID’s West Africa Trade and Investment Hub.
Her insights are expected to shape critical conversations on the ethical, legal, and professional implications of AI in journalism.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr. Emmanuel Agbaxode, Chairman of the GJA Volta/Oti Chapter, described the upcoming event as both timely and essential in deepening the understanding of modern media dynamics.
“Mrs. Gwira is a respected voice in media and communications, and we are honoured to have her lead the conversation on how AI is influencing press freedom and journalism. We urge all journalists, editors, and media students across the region to actively participate in this event,” he said.
The event will also be graced by the Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, as Special Guest of Honour, along with dignitaries from academia, civil society, and media regulatory institutions.
World Press Freedom Day, marked globally on May 3, celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom and serves as a reminder to governments of their obligation to uphold the right to freedom of expression.
It also honours journalists who risked or have lost their lives in the line of duty.