A former Minister of State in the Rawlings government, Kojo Yankah, has charged government to be more transparent in its dealings with the media.
“If the government lies, the people would find out anyway,” the former Information Minister told Joy News’ Kojo Yankson in an interview.
Speaking on what has become a convention by successive governments, Mr Yankah said the practice of having sector ministers come to the Information Ministry to Meet The Press is not transparent.
The former Agona East East MP described the practice tagged as ‘Meet the Press Series’ as “stage-managed.”
“Let every Ministry be free to provide information when they want to and when they have to,” the one time Ashanti Regional Minister said.
“Go to the regions, some Ministers don’t talk because they fear it will counter the sector minister…Why should it be so,” he quizzed.
Akufo-Addo’s record on Media freedom
Speaking on how media freedom has been so far under President Nana Akufo-Addo, the former Editor of Daily Graphic described it as “disappointing but not shocking.”
According to founder and President of the African University College of Communications, for someone who has advocated media freedom, Akufo-Addo’s administration can certainly do better to enhance media freedom.
Mr Yankah said the President Akufo-Addo “should demonstrate more openness to what’s happening” in his administration.
Read: Akufo-Addo administration has worst press freedom record – Tarzan fires
Attacks on journalists: Akufo-Addo's record similar to Rawlings' - Haruna Attah
He cited the deference of the implementation of the Right to Information Act as a clear indication that the state machinery is not yet ready to implement the RTI.
Latest Stories
-
Excessive partisanship is Ghana’s problem; transformative leadership is the solution – Alan Kyerematen
9 mins -
NDC accuses NPP of attempting to block GFP’s ballot re-entry to alter positions
10 mins -
Alan Kyerematen is the situational leader Ghana needs at this critical time – Boniface Siddique
22 mins -
Speaker to address media on recent developments in Parliament, other issues on Wednesday
22 mins -
#Eleection2024: It’s a collective responsibility to maintain peace – Asogli Queen
26 mins -
Bawku conflict claims 61-year-old man, raising death toll to 22
32 mins -
Ghana’s education system stifles critical thinking, innovation – Sam Jonah
37 mins -
“Pay us our royalties” – Celestine Donkor’s manager to Boomplay
44 mins -
Ghana’s overlooked cocoa farmers: The key to a fair and sustainable cocoa industry
1 hour -
Napo urges Seikwa to reject NDC, accuses Asiedu Nketiah of rejecting his hometown
1 hour -
MTN Foundation empowers Volta Region entrepreneurs to drive Ghana’s economic transformation
1 hour -
Sam Jonah criticises reliance on past questions, calls for education reform
2 hours -
Abronye lauds Napo’s impact in Bono Region
2 hours -
Election 2024: Confusion rocks GFP as 2 factions send contradictory letters to EC
2 hours -
NDC Chairman asks NPP supporters to vote out governing party to allow internal restructuring
2 hours