President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged the media to appreciate the stakes involved in the upcoming elections by giving a fair and balanced reportage.
The President says his association with the media over the years on Ghana’s course of strengthening its democracy tells how crucial the work of journalists are in attaining such a feat.
“The stakes are high and your role has never been more crucial. I stand before you not only as a president of the Republic but as someone who has worked alongside the media on this journey to freedom and democracy,” he said at the 28th Ghana Journalists’ Association’s (GJA) Awards and 75th anniversary Awards in Accra Saturday, September 28, 2024.
President Akufo-Addo pledged his support for the media to ensure it discharges its duty diligently without any compromises.
“I remain deeply committed to ensuring that the media in Ghana remains free, vibrant, and independent. Your work is essential to the strength of our democracy, the integrity of our elections, and the progress of our nation,” he added.
The President, recounting Ghana’s periodic elections, called on journalists to report nothing but the truth in the upcoming polls in order to protect the integrity of the process.
He advised the gathering to choose facts over sensationalism in reporting the December 2024 elections.
Akufo-Addo said that the era of fake news and sensationalism has been occasioned by the advent of social media where misinformation easily spreads, urging journalists to not to allow themselves to be swayed.
“Every four years, Ghanaians go to the polls to choose their leaders, and in that process, the media plays an indispensable role. It’s through your work that citizens are informed about the policies of political parties, the integrity of candidates and the issues that matter most to their lives.”
“The responsibility of the media during elections cannot be overstated. You have been at the forefront, monitoring polls, reporting on potential irregularities, and ensuring that the voices of the electorates are heard. Peaceful transitions of power that we have been seeing in Ghana are no small parts due to the diligence and integrity of the media.”
“In the age of social media, where information travels faster than ever, journalists must rise to the occasion by being the gatekeepers of the truth, ensuring that facts prevail over falsehoods. As we prepare for another election cycle, I call on the media to continue its vital work, reporting with integrity, ensuring fairness in coverage, and providing voters with the accurate, timely and comprehensive information they need to make informed decisions.”
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