Ghanaian media urged to be more assertive

The media has been urged to come to adhere to its constitutional role as partners in the development of the country by becoming more assertive and critical on issues to enhance the well-being of Ghanaians.

It must, therefore, not dwell too much on its traditional role as a recipient and disseminator of information.

Professor Kofi Glover, Professor in Political Science at the University of South Florida (USF), USA, said "it is sad to observe that many professionals in the media only regurgitate ideas on what Europeans have taught us without putting them in the context of African problems."

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Odumase Krobo in the Easter Region at the weekend, Professor Glover said merely publishing official government speeches without any critical analysis makes the media a "passive partner in the development process of the nation whereas the constitution demands of it a proactive engagement on national issues".

Professor Glover, who is the USF authority on African Political Systems, was in the country on a study tour with some students and lectures of the University.

He said there was need for the media to offer constructive criticism and alternatives to government in the performance of its duties, noting that merely "regurgitating official speeches" without explaining to the citizenry the effects of such policies, would make the press dormant.

Professor Glover, therefore, urged the media "not to allow Europe to always define to us what our values should be", but rather help society to borrow and adapt other cultures without abandoning our own because Africa has some superior values than other cultures."

"Africa is attempting to sweep out its culture and rather adapt others as the Asian countries have done and this, the media, should help stop".

He said whilst the media had failed to scale down the onslaught on African culture by other foreign cultures, the blame should equally be put on African scholars who have also failed to offer resistance to these intrusions.