Media tasked to make governments accountable to the people

Wa, May 9, GNA - Mr Benin Douri Issifu, Acting Upper West Regional Director of Information Service Department, has tasked the media to keep governments active and alive to their responsibilities to the citizenry.

This, he said, they could do by going to the archives and bringing out promises that politicians made during campaigns and reminding them to fulfil them. They should also evaluate the performance of governments scientifically and educate the citizenry to have informed opinions to make choices about policies and programmes of governments accordingly. Mr Issifu said this when he delivered a lecture on the: "Contribution of the Media in Enhancing Ghana's Democracy," in Wa at the weekend.

This role would be more appreciated by the citizenry than the personality attacks, biased criticism of governments' policies and programmes and the sycophantic way of handling issues. He said at present Ghanaians were at a loss and were unable to contribute effectively to the implementation of policies and programmes because the media had not helped them to understand what goes on around them. Mr Issifu called for a change of vision and mission in the media landscape to address issues affecting the vulnerable and advocate opportunities for them to help them out from their predicaments. He tasked the media to be more concerned about the spate of corruption and bribery in pubic places and urged them to fight hard to eradicate them from the Ghanaian society. He cautioned the media to be wary of the excesses and unprofessional behaviour which cause the government to enact laws against them. Mr Issifu, however, commended the media for the vigilant and patriotic roles they had played to promote democracy. The media has done well for ensuring successful elections and sustaining democracy, which has raised Ghana as one of the best democracies in Africa, Mr. Issifu said.