President Akufo-Addo has urged the African Media to proactively educate the populace, particularly the youth in the continent on climate change issues.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the African Media Convention (AMC) in Accra on Friday, President Akufo-Addo underscored the importance for the African media to mobilise young people towards collective actions, drive innovation and environmental practices that would reduce the risk and vulnerability to climate change on the continent of Africa.
The freedom of the media, according to the President, was vital for the growth and development of any democratic space and that it was imperative the media be accurate in its reportage, as well as uphold the integrity and ethical standards and respect for individual liberties.
The three-day AMC programme, which was on the theme: “The African Media we Want; Enhancing Freedom, Innovation and Environmental Sustainability in a Dynamic Media Landscape” brought together policymakers, Ministers of state, media practitioners, academia and researchers across the continent, among others.
The AMC, whose inaugural convention took place in Arusha, Tanzania in 2022, is an annual event that provides a platform to reflect on the media’s role and journalism on the continent, celebrate press freedom and institute measures to safeguard media freedom.
This year’s convention was spearheaded by UNESCO Addis Ababa liaison Office to AU and UNECA and hosted by the Ministry of Information in collaboration with the Ghana Journalists Association and other media partners.
President Akufo-Addo highlighted on some policy directions, legislations and interventions his government had made towards press freedom, citing the “Right to Information Act 2019” as one of them.
These interventions, including notably the “Repel of the Criminal Libel Law” in 2001, had arguably impacted positively on media freedom and the development of the media in Ghana.
The President said public accountability had been entrenched in Ghana as a result of the passage of the Right to Information Act 2019, adding that it has deepened the country’s democratic agenda, provided the citizens with essential content of government policy and ensured accountable governance.
Media Freedom in Ghana, President Akufo-Addo maintained, had greatly improved the quality and cost of projects and fostered accountable and transparent governance.
“Ghana is ranked as one of the top countries in the Global Press Freedom Index,” he stated.
He challenged the media to not only enjoy media freedom by writing and speaking to criticise but also inform and mobilise the citizens for the common good.