Minister for Information nominee, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah says Journalists are strong and important pillars in Ghana`s growth and development. Media owners must therefore invest in them, since they are the fourth estate of the realm and provide essential services in the democratic governance of the country.
Mr. Oppong-Nkrumah said this when he answered questions before the Appointments Committee in Parliament House. Mr. Oppong Nkrumah who was quizzed on his work as a Journalist at Joy FM, noted that if Journalists are better paid, their capacities built and their concerns addressed, they will help to develop the nation. He asked government to also help in building the capacities of Journalists.Answering a question on his Ministries plans towards the national broadcaster, GBC, if he is given the nod ,Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said it is time the country decides on the actual mandate and role of the GBC, thus, whether it should be a public service or commercial broadcaster. He however revealed that the President, Nana Akufo-Addo has set up a committee to deliberate on restructuring the GBC.
On what should be done to media practitioners and houses which are critical of government and its appointees, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said governments’ should not punish newspapers and Journalists who criticise their administration. This is due to the fact that, the criticisms could be deliberated upon and considered into the national agenda for development. He noted that this could be done bearing in mind the laws of defamation, contempt and falsehood.
Meanwhile Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said by early next year, there will be a ‘Media Capacity Enhancement Programme’ for Journalists, through collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association and other interested agencies.
