Mr Richard Ahiagbah, National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the media to shield the nation from negative speculation and fear mongering, which inhibits the development progress.
He therefore urged the media to realign with the mandate of development enhancement through unbiased communication and not necessarily give the opposition to the platform to seek refuge in national crisis and unceasingly scheme to make government unpopular with false propaganda.
Mr Ahiagbah was addressing members of the media fraternity in the Volta Region at an exclusive soiree organised by the Volta Regional Chairman of the NPP at his Ho residence.
The Communications Director said the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the main opposition Party, sought to sell the nation’s desolation as it weathered a global crisis, and alleged that the media had been caught in the daze.
“We have made some observations that we would like you to take note of for us – that has the potential to impact adversely, what Government is doing. Some media engage in reporting that in my view is inimical and which is what Chairman is underscoring that we must not toy with the peace we have.
My only observation is that in the media today there is a difficulty, where in the communication, especially on the radio and the rest is that it’s as if everything must be said by the NDC and that is it, and the NDC are free to say anything.
“They say anything without accountability. They are free to say anything and what they say appears to be the gospel. So, if NDC said, ‘Ghana is hard’, then people say, ‘yea, yea, yea… Ghana is hard’. You never ask them how Ghana under them was, and if Ghana is hard today, what is their solution to soften Ghana or to make it better?”
the media would work even more closely to ensure that Ghanaians understand and are apprised with what Government is doing, and “we hope that we would continue that partnership to deepen it and make it more productive for our country.”
He said politicians and the media play complementary roles in nation-building, and whereas politicians bring development to the fore, the media also communicates that same development.
Mr. Makafui Woanyah, the Regional Chairman of the Party said the media had divine responsibility to guide the nation’s development trajectory along the pathways of truth and should be active in shielding progress from false propaganda.
He said the media should seek to retrain its fact checking function, which was much needed for the advancement of the nation’s democracy.
“One important issue I would like to raise is also the issue of security and stability of our democracy, Lately, people including some sections of the media have made statements and pronouncements that sought to undermine the peace and stability of our dear nation.
“Let’s hold dear our fledgling peace and tranquility. The press has a major role to play in the preservation of our collective security and stability,” Mr Woanyah admonished.
The Chairman who had revived a long-neglected tradition of press soirees in the Region, promised good working relationship with the media to facilitate mutual corporation and support in the year’s ahead.