Ghana’s journalism gone sour

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• Anokye Twum-Antwi 10 years ago

  In every nation, the press has a very vital role to play. That is why they are often referred to as the 'Fourth Estate'. You are right about the conduct of ruling parties to pay certain journalists to sing their praises. In m ...
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  In every nation, the press has a very vital role to play. That is why they are often referred to as the 'Fourth Estate'. You are right about the conduct of ruling parties to pay certain journalists to sing their praises. In my opinion, you are wrong in stating that the rented press phenomenon started in 2008. It continued in 2008 having been started by former President Kufour. Rented press is when you systematically provide the funds for people to establish newspapers and radio stations to sing your praise. Rented press manifests itself in several other ways. Giving high appointments to senior journalists ( as ambassadors, ministers, board members etc) are all symptoms of the rented press. Even in the NPP, senior communicators were complaining under the Kufuor regime that Kweku Baako (allegedly a member of a rival party) was being given very important information and documents by Kufuor to enable him (Baako) launch attacks against the then opposition NDC. Kufuor felt that Baako and others were more effective in attacking the NDC and so they were provided with vital state documents and information to destroy the NDC. So you see, renting of the press has been there for some time. What is despicable is how low these journalists can stoop to be used as attack lackeys of any government. We have very few self-respecting journalists in Ghana now. As for your praise for the former first lady, I think it is a bit arguable. This woman achieved a lot for women empowerment in the country - there is little doubt about that. What puts me off is her current sanctimonious posture - the holier than thou attitude of a person whose husband's regime sold state property to her for her benefit. A woman who believes that she is the best person to rule Ghana. A woman who scored about 3% against a president whom she had described as 'Team B'. Nana Konadu lost miserably against the late President Mills. A terrible loser, she left the NDC, describing it as very corrupt, and then forming her own party with people of very questionable character as leaders. Would Nana Konadu have described the NDC as corrupt if she had won the leadership election? At what stage did she realize that the party of which her husband was and continues to be founder and leader was or is corrupt? Sorry, but Nana Konadu is a nonentity in contemporary Ghanaian politics. She could not even correctly complete presidential registration forms for the Electoral Commission - please give us peace!

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• pinguino 10 years ago

  First time I've ever read a reasonable and accurate comment to a Ghanaian political news story. The author of this article himself appears to be on Nana Konadu's payroll.

  First time I've ever read a reasonable and accurate comment to a Ghanaian political news story. The author of this article himself appears to be on Nana Konadu's payroll.

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• Martin 10 years ago

  Eric Barwah is shameless partisan hack in the pockets of the NPP, who sees nothing wrong bashing the NDC. When the press is hard on Akufo-Addo it isn't because they have been paid to do so, but are simply doing their jobs.

  Eric Barwah is shameless partisan hack in the pockets of the NPP, who sees nothing wrong bashing the NDC. When the press is hard on Akufo-Addo it isn't because they have been paid to do so, but are simply doing their jobs.

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• NANA ADU 10 years ago

  U CLAIMED TO BE NEUTRAL BUT DOING THE SAME THING U R COMPLAINING JUST BECAUSE IT IS NOT GOING IN UR FAVOUR. AS MY BROTHER ANOKYE CLEARLY STATED, I HAVE WITNESS KWAKU BAAKO COMING TO KUFOUR'S HOUSE LATE IN THE NITE WITH EMPTY ...
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  U CLAIMED TO BE NEUTRAL BUT DOING THE SAME THING U R COMPLAINING JUST BECAUSE IT IS NOT GOING IN UR FAVOUR. AS MY BROTHER ANOKYE CLEARLY STATED, I HAVE WITNESS KWAKU BAAKO COMING TO KUFOUR'S HOUSE LATE IN THE NITE WITH EMPTY HANDS BUT LEFT WITH A SIZEABLE PLASTIC BAG CONTAINING SOMETHING SUSPECTED TO BE MONEY. SO U R NOT CREDIBLE.

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• Mojingles 10 years ago

  What flawed logic, Mr. Bawah.....you heaped a tonnage of blame on the NDC for the current state of sloppy journalism in Ghana and then inexplicably, you turned around to praise the NPP....sad indeed.

  What flawed logic, Mr. Bawah.....you heaped a tonnage of blame on the NDC for the current state of sloppy journalism in Ghana and then inexplicably, you turned around to praise the NPP....sad indeed.

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• back door director 10 years ago

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