The Government is planning to transform state-owned media organisations to financially independent and self-sustaining institutions.

The phenomenon of some of these state media outfits being puppets of governing parties has for years dominated public discussions.

The Minister for Information, Mustapha Hamid, says the current administration is committed to staying out of the affairs of the state media.

He said the government's policy on state-owned media is to rather build the capacity of these institutions to enable them to operate without interference.

"Even now the government is putting in a lot of money without getting the right kind of output. But if we build GBC [one of the state-owned media] up to a point where we can divest it completely from state intervention, then it will be truly independent," he said.

He made the remark at a press briefing in the Volta Region capital, Ho after a two-day executive retreat for key agencies under the Information Ministry.

The Information Ministry last month revealed plans to revamp the Media Development Fund (MDF) to encourage journalists to upgrade their knowledge.

Mr Hamid said the media play a critical role in enhancing democratic governance and socio-economic development and hence required journalists to be empowered to provide relevant and accurate information for the public.