By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni Frimpong, has revealed that some members of the clergy have gone ‘deaf and dumb’ on national issues due to the lack of editorial objectivity across the Ghanaian media landscape as well as the ‘partisan’ nature the media has become.
Rev. Opuni Frimpong made this revelation when addressing a gathering at a public lecture organised by Presbyterian Church of Ghana- Akuapem Presbytery Ascension Congregation in Koforidua.
The event which was under the theme “The Church as an Agent for Consolidating Democracy, Economic Transformation and Social Equity in Ghana: Prospects and Challenges.” forms part of activities marking the 100th anniversary of Presbyterian Church of Ghana- Akuapem Presbytery Ascension Congregation.
Some members of the clergy as well as civil society organizations which used to be very vocal and vibrant on national issues sometime past have been accused of being silent on critical issues of national interest since the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) assumed office.
However, the Former General Secretary of CCG in what seems to be a defense has blamed the partisan nature the media have become of late for “silencing voices of wisdom and reasoning in the country”.
“The challenge of extreme partisanship has a lot to do with the Ghanaian media at the moment and the owners of the media houses. Because we have people who have specific political interests setting up media houses using those media houses to pursue their political interests. So sometimes you are not sure of their editorial policy because people sit down and say all manner of things and nobody stops them.”
“Now partisanship and lack of objective editorial policy in the Ghanaian media is what is fueling the over partisanship challenges, too much of almost anything. Some of us are suffering from these Media Houses because when you speak the truth they will not even listen to you, they will even insult you. They always expect people to speak in favour of their political parties that is gradually silencing the voices of wisdom in Ghana,” Dr. Opuni Frimpong lamented.
He, however, stressed that Christian Council continues to speak when necessary therefore the impression should not be created as if the Council is engaging in a partnership of convenience with any political party.
“What is amazing is that some of the things we are saying today have been said in the past but when these politicians are in opposition and you say some of these things, they receive it in good faith and even congratulate you, but when they are in power, they don’t want to hear these same words. It is a political strategy because when they are in opposition they cry differently, but when they are in power the sound also changes”, he opined.
