The minister for Information Hon. John Akologo Tia has bemoaned the attitude of
a cross section of the Ghanaian media who sees nothing good about the President
Mills led government and thereby making things difficult for the good people of
the country.
He said because of the attitude of the media recently for not promoting the kind
of developmental journalism that we should have been having, so much concern had
been raised about their unprofessional attitude ‘’at the recent GJA awards night
all the speakers spoke about the need for a responsible journalism, it is coming
to the fore because they can be friends and enemies as well’’ The info minister
said.
He said, ‘’somehow the media wants to call the shots and by so doing they end up
tying the hands of government and almost everybody and that is where we have
problems’’.
On whether the attitude of the media is against government and the better Ghana
agenda, John Akologo Tia stated that ‘’the NDC government is receiving a lot of
the bashing, but there are some members of society who are equally getting a
fair share of irresponsible reportage, it’s a big problem. The media has made
things very difficult for everybody via the type of things they present to the
public’’. John Tia said.
The Information Minister tells Gold News that the media has allowed politicians
to use them more. ‘’If you look at the kind of programs and radio phone INS
they don’t talk about developmental issues rather 70-80 % of their work is
concentrated on building conflict’’.
He said though the media could be described as a two edged sword which can build
and destroy the country needs a media that can reach or get to the people with
government activities, programs and policies but that is not happening ‘ thus
the reason they can be of a disservice through their reportage’. He said while a
section of the media is focused, balanced and attaches great professionalism
towards their work another group tries so hard to promote conflict thereby
creating fear and panic in a peaceful society. They tend to drum up the issues
raised by politicians whether right or wrong.
‘’when politicians are at each other’s throat the media comes up to highlight
them beyond acceptable proportions’’ Hon John Akologo Tia said. Generally we
have a vibrant media but a cross section is trying to make things difficult for
government.
When asked if the attitude of the media he referred to is preventing government
from fully pursuing the better Ghana agenda? Hon. John Tia said, ‘’ though they
are creating problems government is focused and religiously succeeding with the
implementation of its manifest pledges. There is massive change since the NDC
government came into office’’.
He recounted some of the achievements under the President Mills led government
as the enhancement of the school feeding program, capitation grant, removal of
schools under trees, free exercise books, dormitories and classroom blocks being
built all over the place, the reversal of the four year senior high school which
he says will relieve parents of some pressure. On the economy he said government
has been able to stabilise the cedi, inflation and bank rates reduced and also
gave the indication that there are a lot of investors in the country because of
the confidence in the President’s leadership style. He cited the strides
government is making in Agriculture, the road infrastructure and many more but a
section of the media has sworn to undo the government so they will not highlight
the positives of government.
When asked if the attitude of the ‘media’ is as a result of the attitude of
government the Info minister noted that he is a part of the media, the Vice
President is also a media man coupled with the President’s humility, good
countenance, and transparent nature government will not antagonise itself with
the media or anybody, thus government is not the problem at all.
He said, that though government is doing well some journalists have made it a
point that, come what may, they will run down the Mills administration.
He urged Ghanaians to be steadfast and wary of writers of ‘dark’ tidings.
Stressing that government is on course and will not fail the good people of
Ghana no matter the challenges the BETTER GHANA agenda will be achieve.
Story by: Samuel Ablordeppey
Samuelablordepey@yahoo.com
