The ‘senior’ journalists dance with Mahama

*It was quite interesting when it was published that the President, John Dramani Mahama, would as his predecessor; John Mills, meet ‘senior’ journalists in Ghana who are going to ask questions bothering on the development of the country. This encounter, a release from the Presidency said, would offer the opportunity for ‘critical minds’ to query the president on the reason for some of his actions.*

As time which is never the friend of men flew in, it was very appropriate that the ‘senior’ men of Ghana’s media be seated thirty minutes before the start of the main question and answer forum. The president, true to the release from his office, entered the conference hall of the Flagstaff House in his suit to answer the bothering questions of the gallant men and women of the inky fraternity.

Watched by ordinary Ghanaians from their homes and offices as well as on the streets of the country, the president who spoke for about five minutes as a way of introduction assured the country that Ghana was on course to perhaps reaching our goal which is to attain higher level of development. Talking about issues, ranging from business to politics, and everything in between, the president gave speeches to perhaps restore the hope of Ghanaians.

Then was the time for the ‘senior’ journalists to submit to the president the concerns of Ghanaians and what they believe as gate-keepers bother everyone. As if driven by a powerful force at the Flagstaff House, media person after the other asked the president general questions that offered him the opportunity to clarify issues in the public domain and also assuage the fear of Ghanaians on some of them.

*The Governor* cannot help but agree with Head of Political Science Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST,) Dr. Amoako Baah, that the event was a ‘Photo Opportunity’ for the president after returning from his ‘Kofi Dubai’s trip to present himself to Ghanaians and also announce his arrival. Otherwise, I do not see the need for the rush in organising the event and also offering a limited time to the media. This was unlike the previous events when the ‘senior’ journalists had always been offered at least a week’s notice to prepare.

Also, handlers of the president perhaps thought it was worthwhile that the president who did not have the opportunity to either directly or indirectly answer to some of the flying issues to voice out on them. And one could see how happy the president was when Bernard Avle of *Citi *FM asked the question on the Merchant Bank deal. “Let me be fast and deny any involvement in such a deal before the Minority’s press conference and also break my silence on the issue…,” Mr. Mahama might have thought as he took note of that question.

The late notification sent to the accredited media personnel does not however offer a dungeon for them to hide and escape from their lack of in-depth in asking some of the questions. For after all, as men and women who daily interact with the upper class (politicians) and the citizenry on the street, we ought to know better and understand the issues, thus offering us the opportunity to always present a true and right representation of the problems of Ghanaians.

Though *The Governor* does not believe in the perception among certain quarters including others in the media that media practitioners present were offered the opportunity to submit their questions before hand to allow the president adequate opportunity to prepare, but the hollowness of some of the questions asked inch me a confirmation of such. Manasseh Azure Awuni come for your stone I nearly said when the question was thrown to the president to re-affirm his commitment to the *Better Ghana* agenda as well as assure the Ghanaian youth that he as the president was working in their interest.

What of the lack of markings on the uncompleted Adenta road which a ‘senior’ journalist who claim to be speaking the minds of his serial callers asked. Not only did he display his lack of knowledge on road constructions but also offered the president the opportunity to once again explain his government’s inability to complete that road five years after coming into office. How can an uncompleted road have markings when under normal circumstances, it should not be opened to traffic but for Ghana where congestion is a watchword? The simple truth, Mr. President is that residents cannot confirm whether work has stopped on that road since no construction is going on over there, so up your supervision.

Of course, the questions reminded me of the usual ones posed at orientations for first year students of both the Senior High School (SHS) and the tertiary on whether school authorities can assure them that they won’t be molested (*homo*) by their seniors. That’s the class in which the question of big time media personnel in Ghana falls. Quite pathetic isn’t it? But don’t laugh at them as most of them never take the pain to visit locations or research into what they are told, hence always exhibiting ignorance on subjects. *The Governor* hopes Ghana would soon not slip into citizen journalism where the citizens become newsmakers and reporters unto themselves.

If the excuse that the notice was too short is anything to go by, what prevented them from also turning down the invitation? This is not to sound disrespectful but to alert the men and women of the inky fraternity that it is better to be absent at a meeting than to be present and offer clueless suggestions. It would even communicate to the presidency that next time, they should plan and perhaps serve at least a week or two notice if they want to get quality.

As to the criteria for the selection of the ‘senior’ journalists and whether long years in the profession underpins in-depth knowledge and appreciation of issues, the presidency has to answer and perhaps explain why certain media houses had at least four representation including some who were clueless about the event and would have turned down an opportunity to ask a reasonable question if they were offered while others were never invited at all. Are ‘senior’ journalists only in Accra and is all the wisdom and knowledge for journalism also manufactured here? If the presidency thinks they can’t satisfy most even if not all, then they should not start it all.

Is the journalism profession a form of school which provides criteria for promotion? This tag of ‘senior journalist’ has been one of the banes to the forward march of this country as we have consistently allowed some of these ‘senior’ guys set the agenda for discussion on our development. What is interesting is that these people after climbing the ladder to become what the presidency and others term as ‘senior’ men of the forth estate of the realm, become compromised and either choose to close their minds and eyes to the reality or begin to lie side by side with politicians in the corruption grave.

Therefore, *The Governor* suggests that the presidency desist from its continual call on cronies and praise-singers to adore their functions and claim they represent members of the inky fraternity. Like the gender activists who abhor the continual placing of a lady in big headgear as a representation for females at male dominated events, Ghanaians and the ‘junior’ journalists also frown on such a move.

‘Senior’ journalists, please move to a new media and know that being offered an opportunity to meet the President or any leader is a great task. Let’s learn and abstain from carrying around a tag heavier than our knowledge of issues.

Since they forgot to ask a question on Genetically Modified (GM) foods and their invasion into the country, *The Governor* wants to know of the move the president has initiated or is initiating to stop its introduction since we all stand the risk of extinction with its success in Ghana. Mr. President, know and understand that almighty Europe did not allow that and men of honour globally are kicking against that so work with our safety in mind and not the monetary inducements to be offered this country with its success. That is my question please!

READ MORE FROM THE AUTHOR at www.officialghananews.com