Jean Mensa
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Adukwei Mensa says the commission welcomes criticism from the public, especially the media, but would appreciate if such criticisms were devoid of insults and misinformation.
Speaking at the 27th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards on the theme “Leveraging media freedom to sustain the democratic and security architecture: The litmus test of Election 2024,” she said the power and freedom of the media in the lead up to the 2024 elections is important given the role of the media in the country’s political architecture.
She, however, said that though all institutions including the Electoral Commission were not above criticism, the media should be circumspect in its reportage as such freedom if not exercised cautiously could potentially make or break the country’s security and cohesion given the high stakes with no incumbent seeking re-election in the 2024 elections.
“That said, do note that we at the Electoral Commission are not above scrutiny. Scrutinise and critique our work, as your role requires, but do so objectively. Criticism laced with insults and falsehood should be beneath you. As we go to the polls in December 2024, it is important that you bear in mind that media freedom whilst sacrosanct does not equate to freedom to deceive. You should rise and take up your roles as custodians of the truth. You are duty bound to do so,” she stated.
Erastus Asare Donkor, Best Journalist of the Year 2022 receiving his award from Kojo Oppong Nkrumah as other dignitaries look on
She, therefore, asked the media as partners to put Ghana first and work to build the country with activities and actions aimed at benefiting the country irrespective of one’s political inclination.
Out of the 34 awards presented to journalists for their enormous contribution to the profession and the development of the country, Erastus Asare Donkor of Multimedia Group was adjudged as Journalist of the Year for his story on illegal mining titled “Destruction for gold”.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, thanked all stakeholders, especially President Akufo-Addo as well as other partners for their support for a successful event.
He indicated that following the role of the media over the years in shaping the development of the country, he believes the media could play a critical role in stilling the storm and steer the nation away from any calamity the elections may pose.
He also bemoaned the high spate of attacks on media practitioners and institutions over the years, while urging the three arms of state and other institutions to help address the impunity against the media, promising to resist any attack from the public while admonishing media practitioners to act professionally in the discharge of their duties.
Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, for his part, asked the media to demonstrate extreme professionalism by way of not publishing anything that could misinform or misinforming people, but be mindful that they serve the collective interests of the public.
He further appealed to the GJA to collaborate with NMC to review the guidelines on election reporting ahead of the 2024 elections “to ensure the integrity of the process, engender public trust, confidence and respect”.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah