Catholic Standard (Ghana)

Contents

Catholic Standard is a Ghanaian Catholic weekly newspaper published by Standard Newspapers and Magazines Ltd. on behalf of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference (GCBC). Established in 1938, it is the only national Catholic weekly newspaper in Ghana and is among the country's oldest surviving newspapers.[1][2]

History

The Catholic Standard was founded in 1938 and officially registered as a national weekly newspaper in 1940. It was initially printed at the Catholic Mission Press in Cape Coast.[1]

In 1974, Standard Newspapers and Magazines Ltd. (SNAM Ltd.) was incorporated as a limited liability company to publish the newspaper, with the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference as its majority shareholder.[1]

According to academic research, The Standard was restructured under Standard Newspapers and Magazines Ltd. and adopted the name Catholic Standard in 1976.[3]

The newspaper's operations were relocated from Cape Coast to Accra in 1977 to improve access to printing, advertising and distribution facilities.[3][1]

The newspaper celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2008 and its 80th anniversary in 2018, marking more than eight decades of publication and service to Catholic journalism in Ghana.[2][4]

Suspension during the PNDC era

The Catholic Standard became increasingly involved in public affairs during the period of military rule in Ghana through its editorials and feature articles, which commented on political developments and criticised perceived abuses and restrictions on civil liberties.[3]

On 13 December 1985, the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) government revoked the newspaper's registration and banned its publication, alleging that its reporting jeopardised the national interest and undermined the government.[3][5]

The newspaper remained out of circulation until 1992 following Ghana's return to constitutional rule under the Fourth Republic.[3][1]

Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle, who served as acting editor of the newspaper during the period, later recalled that the newspaper was targeted because of its editorial criticism of the PNDC administration.[6]

Editorial role

Academic research has found that the editorial focus of the Catholic Standard has evolved alongside Ghana's political development. While the newspaper initially concentrated on religious news, it gradually expanded its coverage to include political, social and economic issues. During periods of military rule, it increasingly used its features and editorials to comment on political developments and criticise perceived abuses and restrictions on civil liberties. Since the restoration of constitutional rule in 1992, the newspaper has placed greater emphasis on political issues, civic education and national development while continuing its religious mission.[3]

Publication

The Catholic Standard is published weekly in English by Standard Newspapers and Magazines Ltd., a publishing company owned principally by the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference.[1]

The newspaper publishes news, editorials, opinion pieces, pastoral messages and feature articles covering religion, governance, education, health, social affairs and national issues from a Catholic perspective.[1][3]

Legacy

The Catholic Standard is one of Ghana's oldest surviving newspapers and remains the country's only national Catholic weekly newspaper.[1][2]

Academic studies have identified the newspaper as an important medium through which the Catholic Church has participated in national discourse and contributed to civic education and public debate in Ghana.[3]

Its suspension during the PNDC era and subsequent resumption in 1992 have been cited as part of the wider history of press freedom and media development in Ghana.[5][3]

References

  1. 1.[1.2][1.3][1.4][1.5][1.6][1.7][1.8]"About Us". Catholic Standard. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  2. 2.[2.2][2.3]"Catholic Standard is 70 Years". Modern Ghana. 20 October 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  3. 3.[3.2][3.3][3.4][3.5][3.6][3.7][3.8][3.9]The Changing Role of Christian Newspapers in Ghana: A Case Study of the Catholic Standard (Thesis). University of Ghana. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  4. 4."The Catholic Standard Celebrates 80 Years". Modern Ghana. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  5. 5.[5.2]Press Freedom in Ghana (PDF) (Report). Media Foundation for West Africa. Retrieved 27 July 2026.
  6. 6."PNDC under Rawlings sent people to kill Palmer-Buckle – Rev. Dr Opuni-Frimpong". Adom Online. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2026.