ACCRA, Ghana, 7th November: President John Dramani Mahama has challenged public officials to demonstrate greater transparency by providing journalists with clear answers and relevant documentation on how public resources are utilised.
He said public institutions must not frustrate journalists seeking information about government expenditure, delayed projects and decisions affecting citizens.
Speaking at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, President Mahama stressed that the right of access to information must be reflected in how requests are handled by public offices.
According to him, journalists investigating the use of public funds deserve more than verbal assurances from government officials.
“A reporter who is asking how public money has been spent should receive a clear answer and where disclosure is required, the supporting records,” he stated.
He further insisted that public officials must be prepared to explain delays in government projects and communicate clearly to affected communities about what should happen next.
The President said government departments must also be willing to acknowledge mistakes and explain the corrective measures being taken rather than attempting to conceal administrative failures.
“When a department makes a mistake, acknowledge it and say what will be done to make it right. That is how citizens can judge whether their concerns are being heard or ignored,” he added.
President Mahama, who described himself as someone who has experienced both sides of journalism, said he understands the importance of difficult questions in ensuring accountability.
He noted that while some questions may be uncomfortable for those in public office, they are necessary because they help establish whether information presented at official briefings reflects the actual experiences of people on the ground.
“A president needs to hear those questions, so does every person who holds public office,” he emphasised.
He also reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting the media’s constitutional mandate to scrutinise government activities without censorship, intimidation or undue interference.
President Mahama called on public officials to embrace the same openness when responding to difficult questions as they demonstrate when announcing government achievements.
He was addressing journalists and other stakeholders at the 30th GJA Media Awards in Accra.
LISTEN TO PRESIDENT JOHN MAHAMA IN THE AUDIO BELOW👇:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️) Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭
