By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Associate Professor of Political Communication and Media Studies, Prof. Etse Sikanku, has urged the Presidency to make press conferences a more regular feature of governance to deepen transparency and strengthen accountability.
Speaking on GBC’s ‘Current Agenda’, the Dean of the Faculty of Journalism and Media Studies at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) said that although the recent presidential press conference was commendable, the long gap between such engagements risks creating an “avalanche of questions” for the President to handle at once.
Prof. Sikanku argued that consistency in meeting the press would not only allow government to address public concerns in real time but also reduce speculation and misinformation.
“If the President meets the press only after long intervals, too many issues pile up. Regular encounters would make engagements more effective and helpful to the citizenry,” he emphasized.
He further noted that frequent interactions would provide the President with opportunities to shape public discourse and proactively explain controversial policies before misinformation spreads. According to him, this is especially critical in an era where social media and partisan commentary often dominate the national conversation.
The political communication scholar also highlighted the symbolic role of presidential press conferences, stressing that they provide citizens with visible reassurance of leadership in moments of uncertainty.
“In times of crisis whether health, economic, or regional, the people want to see and hear directly from the President. Citizens expect him to answer tough questions, demonstrate accountability, and set the tone for leadership,” Prof. Sikanku said.
Drawing comparisons with other democracies, Prof. Sikanku pointed out that leaders in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom hold regular briefings or press encounters, which help them maintain open communication with citizens and international audiences. He recommended that Ghana institutionalize such practices and have it on quarterly as part of a broader culture of democratic accountability.
He concluded by noting that greater frequency in presidential press conferences would ensure that future engagements are shorter, more focused, and ultimately more beneficial to both the Presidency and the public.
