President John Dramani Mahama did not pay to be featured in Ovational International, publisher of the magazine, Chief Dele Momodu has disclosed.
An interview granted by President Mahama to the magazine has enjoyed a lot of media attention after it emerged that he had accused some elements in the country whom he described as a “cabal† of hijacking sections of the Ghanaian media and were blocking his message of “transformation†by downplaying the development projects he had undertaken.
“A certain group has taken control of the media in Ghana, and it makes it difficult for people to discern the truth. So as much as you are putting out the information, it is either being blocked or distorted,†he said in the interview.
While many have criticised the president for his assertion with anti-corruption Sydney Casely-Hayford likening him to US Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump for his comments, others have criticised the interview in general, saying the magazine sought to portray him [Mahama] as a victim to win sympathy votes.
But speaking on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Chief Momodu said the interview was not one paid for to project President Mahama for any political gains but one the feeds into the maganize's slogan of celebrating Africa.
According to him, considering President Mahama's achievements like solving the 'dumsor' problem, "we are happy to celebrate Ghana and the work that he has done".
We have been celebrating Africa and Africans all over and "if we're doing things on Ghana at this moment, does it have to mean President Mahama is behind it?", he retorted.
He explained that,though it is the job of the media to make money, "President Mahama has not paid me for this job" because we have our style of doing things and we sell ads to make our money.
"One thing we sell with Ovation is integrity. We will not hide the truth; we do things on principle. If people see my publication and love President Mahama for it, good for him. It is up to the readers to be influenced or not", the Nigerian businessman added.