Media is a critical tool for democratic governance- Minister

Sekondi, Jan. 8,  – Mr Mustapha Hamid, Minister of Information, over the weekend described the media as a critical tool or channel on which government businesses and policies hinged on for effective engagement with the masses.

 

He noted that the media’s role in communicating policies, programmes and special initiatives of government was the only way the citizenry became aware of the state of affairs to contribute to the democratic discourse of the country for accelerated development.

  

“And that is why we continue to urge you to be more critical of the government… do not only sing our praises, draw our attention to issues of concern to the public just like you did with the “first Aid kits” issue”, he added during an interaction with the Western Regional Press.

   

The interaction according to the Minister of Information, was to get feedback from the media who were the main anchors of information especially on government to citizenry relationship.

 

The media interaction was also attended by Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, deputy Minister of Information, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie and Mrs. Eugenia Gifty Kusi Western Regional Minister and deputy respectively.

    

Mr Hamid said, one year of the President Akuffo-Addo led administration was a good marking point and therefore the need to interact with the media, who have been key in policy and information dissemination for a better 2018.

   

The minister was however unhappy about the sector’s inability to answer most phone calls from the more than 350 media outlets across the country.

“What we plan doing is to create and open more communication channels to the government to ensure good and unrestricted access to information.

  

“We are looking at official spokespersons who would respond to various segment of governmental issues, weekly visits to the regions as well as weekly press briefing on government’s intentions as is done in the United States of America”, the Minister added.

   

Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Deputy Minister of Information lauded the media for good work done in the first year of the government adding, “We need to collaborate and work together in bringing governance closer to the doorstep of every Ghanaian”.

Dr Kwaku Afriyie, the Western Regional Minister called on the media to continue to discharge their duties with the utmost sense of professionalism in the quest to develop the country.

GNA