President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will today have an encounter with a cross section of the Ghanaian media today at the Jubilee House in Accra.
This will be President Akufo-Addo’s second meeting with the media this year and the third as he marks his mid of his first term in office.
The media engagement according to a statement from the Information Ministry, is in line with the President’s desire to engage with Ghanaians through the media.
A Deputy Minister of Information, Pius Enam Hadzide speaking on Radio Ghana’s Current Affairs Programme, ‘BEHIND THE NEWS’, explained that this will be the third media encounter with President Akufo-Addo since he asumed office as president.
According to Mr. Hadzide, President Akufo-Addo will touch on key national issues; including macro economic achievements, the International Monetary Fund, (IMF), programme, Low Inflation and the Free Senior High School, (SHS) Policy and the other major policies of his government.
With regards to the RTI bill, he said the president has spoken extensively on the issue and is keen on the passing of the bill into law.
Adding that, the president, after his presentation will make time for the media to ask questions and make comments on his address and general matters.
Mr. Hadzide who spoke to GBC’s Ibrahim Kwarteng said the media encounter is as a result of the president’s desire to bring government and governance close to the ordinary person by interacting with the media.
He stated that Nana Akufo-Addo has taken time to engage with the media at regional levels.
He said the president also understands the media as an important stakeholder and an avenue to interact and get feedbacks from the people of Ghana.
Mr. Hadzide also said the meeting forms part of the President’s desire, to bring governance closer to the people.
He said it is the expectation of government that the media will fairly represent the views and aspirations of the people of Ghana.
“I have noticed that already, media houses have begun sampling the opinions and views of the people of Ghana and I believe that at the meeting, such views and aspirations can be addressed by the president” Mr. Hadzide said.
Mr. Hadzide revealed that, with this particular event, government is working closely with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) as the coordinators of the media invitation and are expected to ensure that as many journalists and media houses which can attend be given the opportunity to do so without favouratism and biases.
He added that government trusts that the GJA will heed to that.
He said the collaboration with the GJA is a better arrangement to ensure equity in the selection, broad and national representation on matters.
Mr. Hadzide said the meeting will begin at 5pm at the Jubilee House and stated: “We expect the media to arrive on time, create conducive environment for the presentation, ask relevant questions and reflect the views and aspirations of Ghanaians and most importantly eco and reecho the comments and explanations that will be offered by the president.”
Story By: Nhyira Kwabi
