As the Jean Adukwei Mensa led Electoral Commission (EC) continues to grapple with issues of trust in handling various electoral processes, the president of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has recommended media access to the controversial Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meetings to engender transparency and prevent skewed information from political parties after such meetings.
One of its most successful innovations, responding to the boycott of the 1992 parliamentary elections by opposition political parties that had disputed the presidential election results, was the creation of the informal and non-statutory Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC).
Currently, the IPAC has only a consultative and advisory role, but it has been important in building trust among political parties and generating proposals for electoral reform over the years.
The IPAC also serves as a bridge between the Commission and political parties, providing valuable insights, fostering consensus, and contributing to electoral reforms.
According to the GJA President, the media’s presence at IPAC will remedy the frequent misrepresentation of facts by political communicators on issues discussed at these important meetings.
“We believe that the presence of the media is important at the IPAC meetings. Media can also be briefed at a closing ceremony of the IPAC meetings on the various issues discussed,” he stated.
Dwumfour also underscored the need for the Electoral Commission to exhibit concerns over the abuse of journalists during elections and design pragmatic measures that would protect journalists who cover the activities of the Commission before, during, and after the 2024 election.
Speaking at a media engagement with the commissioners of the Electoral Commission, Dwumfour noted that protecting the rights of journalists during elections must be an integral part of election preparedness.
He noted that the Electoral Commission (EC) before the 2020 election trained journalists on the electoral processes – equipping them to educate the public on these activities. However, about six months to the 2024 elections, the GJA is amazed that there have not been any training or capacity-building programs for journalists. He asserted that the Association is committed to any form of collaboration that would enhance the capacity of the media in election processes.
The GJA President further admonished the commission to pay more attention to time management during their press conferences. He explained that on many occasions, the commission failed to adhere to the time advertised for its press conferences, often times starting press conferences an hour or two late.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Adukwei Mensa assured the GJA of the commitment of the Commission in addressing issues of the media at all times. She believes that a lack of knowledge of the importance of the work of the media led to some officials of the EC not treating journalists right.
She asserts that the commission and the GJA would have to collaborate to work effectively for the public good.
Source: ghananewsonline.com.gh