Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has made a passionate call to the media to exercise caution in their reportage on the economy in order not to derail the progress made by the country.
During a press conference on Sunday to provide an update on Ghana’s economy, Mr. Ofori-Atta raised concerns about media reports last month that China would have access to Ghana’s mineral and electricity revenue as a result of not honouring its debt obligation.
The Finance Minister clarified that Ghana had successfully worked with the Paris Club and other creditors to determine the parameters of restructuring the country’s debt.
“We have also successfully worked with the Paris Club (PC) and other creditors to determine the parameters of our official debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework for Debt treatment. In the coming weeks, we will seek to complete the MOU with the OCC on the terms of bilateral debt treatment. Government will sustain engagements with private creditors, and Euro-bond investors on external debt to reach an agreement with the private creditors in the shortest possible time.
“In light of the above, we will count on all stakeholders especially the media, to be circumspect on their reportage on the economy, to avoid derailing the progress being made. Our love of country must supersede all and as the late P.A.V Ansah, a University of Ghana communications school professor said, Journalism 101 teaches media students that they have three basic roles: to inform, educate and entertain. However, for developing countries, there is a fourth: foster national cohesion. National cohesion is the foundation upon which any and everything else is built.”
“The misreporting on China was unnecessary and unfortunate. Unfounded accusations against Government Officials leading the recovery are untenable and serve no useful purpose. Undoubtedly, the need for accuracy must override speed in these circumstances,” he said.
