Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has urged the media to continue to be partners in the efforts to rebound the economy from the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic.
He said the media in this post-crises recovery era should be partners in highlighting the opportunities and amplifying successes of government and businesses in order to complement efforts being made to revive the economy.
The minister gave the advice in Accra yesterday at the Graphic Business and Stanbic Bank Breakfast held under the theme: “Media and Marketing Communication Post COVID: A Catalyst for Africa’s Socio-Economic Resurgence.”
“We are at the most critical time in recent economic history of our continent. Therefore, this is the time to rally round the flag and indeed rally round the continent-wide effort to recover. This requires common purpose from policy makers, from private sector players and from the media. It is the only way to guarantee our common success,” he said.
“On the part of government, we will continue to provide support for the industry through fair regulation, capacity enhancement programmes and support to the general economy which should in turn help the industry. However, in return, the media should also help in projecting the country to the outside world,” he added.
The minister said at this critical time of the country’s development, there was the need to eschew all forms of sensational and misleading publications that will deter investors.
He stressed that while the media can report on infractions in the public and private sector, it should also highlight the opportunities and the good in these sectors to fire up the country’s recovery efforts.
Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Limited, Ato Afful, said it was important for the media to restore hope and build social cohesion amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
He called on the media to use innovative means in producing attractive content that will give mileage to businesses to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He said the media must always make it a point to sell the numerous business opportunities available in the country to make it attractive to foreign investors.
Managing Director, Stanbic Bank, Kwamina Asomaning, said media and the marketing industry was the oil that lubricated the economy and must help the country recover from the pandemic by promoting consumption, trade and investments.
During a panel discussion, Professor Kwame Karikari, Board Chairman, Graphic Communications Group Limited, said public service media must be resourced to facilitate national development efforts in an era of media pluralism.
Chief Executive Officer, ABN Holdings Limited, George Twumasi, underscored the relevance of the media and marketing communication industry in the country.
However, he said the post Covid-19 recovery efforts means the media must assume a more central role in promoting trade, commerce and investment in a way that will help set the Ghanaian economy back in motion.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri