By Dzifa Tetteh Tay
After a long wait, Ghana’s 2024 election takes place on Saturday, December 7, with high expectations about the outcome. The question on many lips is whether the citizenry will pull through or destroy the relative stability she currently has.
With all eyes on the country, which has been able to uphold its democracy since 1992 and had eight elections and therefore could boast of such an enviable title, many are calling for the ‘gateway to Africa’ to do all it can to impress the world.
One of such people who have added their voices to the call for a peaceful election is a Liberian journalist, John Kamara Taylor, who has advised media personnel to take charge of their platforms and not allow any individual or group to use their spaces to perpetuate violence. “War is too expensive, and so the media should work hard to maintain the peace the country has,” he advised.
In an interview at Teshie in the Greater Accra Region, Mr. Taylor, who is the Acting Managing Editor for Choice TV in Liberia, shared his experience as a journalist whose country had suffered the devastating effects of war. He emphasised that the effects of war do not disappear easily and sometimes affect even generations, and so peace should be guarded seriously for making another successful political transition a reality.
He said that because when a country was in turmoil, it affected everyone, it behoved all countries in the subregion to add their voices to the call to ensure a successful election. He noted that, although the Electoral Commission and political parties and the various candidates may take centre stage in the elections, all must be involved in safeguarding the relative peace of the country.
He said the role of the media could not be overemphasised during this period for a free and fair election. He therefore highlighted the importance of responsible reporting as key, urging journalists not to allow negative language to be passed through them to the public.
The journalist with over 14 years of experience said millions of people from both local and international communities would rely on the local media to be informed on every activity before, during and after the election, and so journalists must do what is right and avoid all acts of misinformation and disinformation in the course of the discharge of their duties.
“As a journalist, you must be firm in calling people to order when they are going against your editorial policy. If you see things going wrong, intervene lawfully. Also ensure you cross-check every information before putting it out because you cannot afford to make a mistake,” he cautioned. He said every media house must be intentional about upholding the peace of the country.
He also emphasised the need for every country to support Ghanaians in maintaining the stability it has because anything short of it could have a ripple effect on other countries. “When Liberia and other countries were in distress, Ghana helped us, and so we must all encourage them to do what is right in appreciation and also to support them for what they have done for the region over the years,” he said.
The Acting Managing Editor who is also the Communications Officer for the Liberia Women Empowerment Network, said working with women over the years had made him aware of the devastating effects of war on them (women) and therefore encouraged women to actively get involved in the call for a peaceful election. According to him, they (women) are the most affected with their children when there is an outbreak of war.
He said religious and traditional leaders should also do well to use their influence on their people to get them to appreciate that election is a contest which would have one winner, after which all the contestants must rally behind the winner so that the country will be a better place to live in.
Mr. Taylor’s call to the media not to allow their platforms to be used to carry negative news brought to mind an incident that I witnessed over a decade ago.
At a political party rally, I witnessed a constituency executive making an irresponsible statement that could plunge the country into chaos. He said, “If our party does not win, there will be war.” Usually, I avoid reporting such statements, but a colleague became interested and started recording and writing with great seriousness.
I asked my colleague why he gave the statement so much attention. He replied that it would make headlines for his media house. I expressed my surprise, asking if he considered the potential chaos such a statement could cause. He casually responded, “That’s what they want to hear,” oblivious to the repercussions of his actions.
The Importance of Responsible Reporting
I explained to my colleague the importance of responsible reporting, especially during election seasons. However, he excused himself to get further details from the speaker. Later, he returned, excited to “blow the story.” I appealed to his conscience, explaining how our families and we could be negatively affected by such actions.
He responded, “My mother is not here; she is far away in the village, and so she cannot be affected.” I realised my words were falling on deaf ears. Unfortunately, some journalists still prioritise making headlines over responsible reporting, disregarding the potential consequences of their actions.
A Personal Experience with the Effects of War
My experience with the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in 2018 was eye-opening. I witnessed the effects of war on Somali citizens and interacted with security service officers from various countries. One officer shared his experience, saying, “During Christmas, when I hear firecrackers, I lie flat on the floor. I’ve heard too many gunshots, and I only realise it’s firecrackers when I’ve already embarrassed myself.”
His story highlighted the long-lasting effects of war on individuals and their families. The AMISOM also arranged for us to visit Internally Displaced Persons Camps, where we saw malnourished and weak children, unsure of their next meal. A mother speaking through an interpreter shared her struggles, explaining that they sometimes had only one meal a day.
She said many lives had been lost, made up of husbands, wives, mothers, and children, which had traumatised many of them.
The Vulnerability of Women During War
She said some infrastructure had been destroyed, including homes, medical facilities, schools, and roads, which had led to economic challenges such as unemployment and hence made a lot of them impoverished.
Dr. Aurelia Ayisi, a lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Communications, emphasised the vulnerability of women during war. She explained that women are physically and psychologically affected, facing sexual attacks, rape, and sexual harassment.
Dr. Ayisi stressed that women often carry the double burden of caring for themselves and their children.
She explained that in times of war and instability, economic issues arise, and women become responsible for ensuring food is on the table.
The Lecturer advised the media to highlight the gendered dimensions of social issues during the election season to draw public attention to critical issues which greatly affect the vulnerable citizens.
She called on the media to practice responsible reporting, as this is crucial during sensitive periods like election seasons. She said Journalists must consider the potential consequences of their actions and prioritise the well-being of their audience and especially women and children.
The Lecturer also appealed to the media to project women who are contestants in the elections to support them and also encourage more women to play active roles in politics to also contribute their quota to the progress of the country.
