Akufo-Addo’s Media Encounter: Entertainment journalists weren’t sidelined – Minister

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Ziblim Iddi Barri, has revealed that assertions by some journalists in the creative arts industry that the presidency ignored the creative sector during the media encounter cannot be true.

According to him, there were some journalists from the sector who were present at the event, however, they did not ask questions for them to be noticed.

The government suffered some backlash on social media after the president’s media encounter with some claiming the government ignored the sector by not inviting journalists from the industry.

But speaking with DJ Premier on Accra100.5FM's “Entertainment Capital” on Saturday, 20 January 2018, the Deputy Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Gushiegu, said: "I think it would not be fair to judge the president based on one press encounter and it would not also be fair to judge the government based on the fact that no media personnel from the creative arts was allowed to ask questions. I know there were about two or more of them who were at the Flagstaff House but I also monitored the event from beginning to end and there were equally added sectors which did not feature."

Dr Ziblim further stated, “It is difficult for the president to stand on his feet for two hours to address the press on issues regarding the country.”

He further indicated that the ministry is very passionate about the creative arts industry which has the support of the president.