President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged the media to adhere to truth and accuracy when reporting on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In an interaction with the National Media Commission (NMC) at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday, the President said the slightest misinformation and misinterpretation can lead to serious consequencies.
“It is important that the facts be accurate because if it isn’t, it will generate a certain amount of uncertainty and fear in the society,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo therefore commended the media for partnering the government to educate and inform the public on issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The media has been, for us in government, an invaluable ally. An invaluable ally on two fronts; one, in helping to get the education and information out to the citizenry of our country about this new menace to the progress of the human race,” he said.
Secondly, he said the media has acted as a vehicle of accountability in the society.
“I am very happy with the way the Ghanaian media has responded in the midst of this crisis. People come and they say don’t you think the media is worrying you too much? They can never worry me too much. I am the chief accounting officer in Ghana so if people are asking questions or directing criticisms, that is all part of the game. That is what the system requires should be the case,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo used the platform to explain some of the decisions taken by the government since the COVID-19 broke out in the country about a month ago.
The Chairman of the National Media Commission, Yaw Boafo Ayeboafo, thanked the government for giving the media enough information on what informed its policies and decisions in the fight against COVID-19.
“We are thankful to you Mr President that you have deeper understanding of the nuances of the media and in particular, the fact that we should hold the government accountable,” he said, adding, “we are the only group within the establishment who are enjoined by the constitution to hold the government accountable.”
The meeting was attended by representatives from the media including the Ghana Journalists Association, the Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana, the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, the Ag. Managing Director of New Times Corporation, Martin Adu-Owusu and other directors of state owned media.
BY YAW KYEI
