Some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, MMDCE’s are citing journalists and media houses for their inability to properly engage with their constituents.
According to them, anytime they make attempts to engage their constituents, the media misrepresent their statements and at times demand money before publishing. Others also made a case against some media houses, alleging that they have made it a dut, to run down politicians no matter their good work.
These observations were made at an experience sharing Forum with MMDCEs on how to promote citizens engagement and participation in Local Governance in Ghana. The Local Governance act 2000 enjoins MMDCEs to engage residents in the communities they head and goes further to give clear ways on how they should reach out to the communities. However most MMDCEs do not, making it difficult for residents to access information.
According to the MMDCEs, their unwillingess is because they do not want to be misrepresented.
Executive Director of Media Foundation for West Africa, Sulemana Braimah noted the misconception, that Assembly members and their staff, abuse monies given by government for development.
Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Democratic Governance, Kwesi Jonah believes that despite the challenge, MMDCE’s must remain transparent.
The Forum was organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa and DW Akademie.
