Prof. Eliasu Mumuni with media practitioners and officials of CDD-Ghana in Tamale
Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Prof. Eliasu Mumuni, has called for improved welfare for media professionals so they can effectively hold public officials to account.
Prof. Mumuni warned that reporters who struggle to meet basic needs may be less able to challenge powerful individuals and institutions independently.
He urged media owners to raise salaries, fulfil statutory obligations such as Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions, and avoid exploiting staff.
He encouraged media houses to diversify revenue streams and implement internal reforms to improve financial sustainability and employee welfare.
According to him, better working conditions will enable journalists to perform their watchdog role more effectively and hold duty bearers accountable.
Recognising the critical role of the media in promoting transparency and accountability, Center for Democratic Development, Ghana (CDD-Ghana) organised a media workshop to provide journalists with an overview of the current state of political parties and campaign financing in Ghana, including key challenges and gaps in the existing legal and regulatory framework.
The workshop will also introduce participants to the government’s position on the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) recommendations on political parties financing and the Draft Model Political Finance Law.
CDD-Ghana noted that resistance to state financing of political parties stems partly from limited public understanding of the concept and its potential benefits.
Frederick Adu-Gyamfi, CDD-Ghana’s Director of Programmes and Operations, said that the large sums spent by parties during elections fuel public concerns about public funding.
Adu-Gyamfi argued that if properly explained, more Ghanaians might appreciate the role public financing could play.
He suggested that appropriately regulated public funding could help address parties’ financial challenges as well as strengthen Ghana’s democratic system.
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale