The Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Osei Assibey Antwi, has urged the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to maintain decorum before, during and after the 2024 general elections.
He made the call during a meeting with the GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, at the Scheme’s headquarters in Accra . Mr. Assibey Antwi stressed the critical role of the media in ensuring a free, fair and balanced electoral process.
He cautioned that media negligence could have dire consequences, drawing parallels to the Rwandan civil war, where journalistic misconduct played a significant role in the conflict.
“Ghana cannot afford to cross that line of civil war, all because of an election. I emphasise the potential havoc that irresponsible reporting could wreak. For this reason, engage your members on the need to leverage professional and ethical standards in their coverage of the elections. They shouldn’t declare the results,” he warned.
Upcoming deployment
Mr Assibey Antwi highlighted the importance of the upcoming deployment of service personnel, which he believes would significantly benefit the media industry, and ensure a more proactive front for the demands of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
“It is essential to indicate at this stage that this year’s deployment aims to ensure proactive journalism across every part of the country, contributing to well-informed citizens and dedicated service to the nation,” he assured.
He added that Ghana stands at a crossroads a few months into the 2024 parliamentary and presidential elections, saying, “As such, the role of the media is paramount in sustaining our Democratic credentials.”.
For his part, the GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, assured the NSS Executive Director of the Association’s commitment to upholding ethical principles in their reporting.
Professional standards
He promised to ensure that the GJA would adhere to all professional standards and enhance a peaceful and transparent electioneering period.
“The meeting today is a crucial collaboration between the NSS and the GJA in promoting responsible journalism and safeguarding the democratic process in Ghana. I believe that as the 2024 general elections approach, the NSS’s call for journalistic decorum serves as a timely reminder of the power of the media and its responsibility to the public,” he added.