By Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
Renowned communication scholar and media analyst, Prof. Etse Sikanku, has described the recent presidential press conference as a vital democratic exercise that strengthens government accountability.
Speaking on GBC’s Current Agenda, Prof. Sikanku, who also serves as Dean of the Faculty of Journalism and Media Studies at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), said the event provided an important platform for the President to address national concerns directly.
According to him, although such encounters may appear ceremonial, they carry extraordinary democratic significance because they ensure transparency and public accountability.
“The President was strongly questioned and held accountable. His communication was clear, and while more can always be done, I would rate the exercise at about 85 to 90 percent—above average,” he noted.
Prof. Sikanku stressed that the timing of the press engagement was appropriate, coming nine months into the administration, a period when public concerns and controversies required clear explanations from government. He added that the interaction gave the President the opportunity to respond to major national issues in a timely manner.
