The media is disappointing Ghanaians- Info Minister

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