Fatimatu Abubakar, Minister for Information, has called on journalists to uphold professionalism as they prepare to cover the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections on Saturday, December 7.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency ahead of the polls, she urged media practitioners to avoid spreading falsehoods or inciting violence through inaccurate reporting and fake news.
She emphasized that ensuring a peaceful election and safeguarding the country’s democracy is a collective responsibility, and the media must contribute by reporting responsibly, without sensationalism.
“The reports should not be influenced by inducement or personal, political, or parochial interests. Journalists should refrain from inciting, embellishing, or fabricating stories just to sway the election,” she explained.
“I should also not perpetuate falsehood so that the stories will be sweeter for my political party and sour for the other political party…That, we should not do!” she emphasized.
Ms Abubakar also called on politicians to mind their utterances and “do what is expected of them legally” during the electoral process.
“For us politicians, I think it’s only about the quality of your argument and not to go and insult somebody, to incite violence or anything of that sort…I won’t do it, and I can’t tell anybody to do it…Yours is to make sure your agents are vigilant and they are policing the process…” she added.
The Information Minister expressed satisfaction at the 2024 election campaign which, she said, had become “more issue-based” than in previous years.
“These days it is a contest of ideas. People are raising arguments and trying their best to come up with policies that resonate with people. And I am excited that as we deal with more dialogue and less violence, our democracy is progressing,” she observed.
Ms Abubakar urged citizens to cast their ballot on Election Day and expect the mandated electoral body to ensure a free and fair election.
“I’m excited that on Saturday, we’re all going to vote and trust the Electoral Commission, as created by the Constitution, and all the robust mechanisms put in place will deliver a free and fair election….At the end of the day, there will always be a President for Ghana, and there will be peace and cohesion,” she stated
