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Tag: Ministry of Information

  • Mahama defends removal of Ministry of Information, reveals alternative

    Mahama defends removal of Ministry of Information, reveals alternative

    President John Mahama has defended his administration’s decision to exclude the Ministry of Information from the newly announced lineup of 23 ministries, describing the move as a strategic step to streamline government operations while fulfilling a commitment to reduce the size of government.

    His remarks came in response to concerns raised by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), which sought clarification on the rationale behind the exclusion of the Information Ministry from the government structure.

    Speaking during a press engagement, President Mahama explained that the reorganization was aimed at eliminating redundancies while ensuring effective communication.

    “With regards to government communications, you’ll notice that there’s no Information Ministry in the lineup of 23 ministries we recently announced. That was partly in response to our promise to downsize government,” the President stated.

    To address the critical need for clear and accurate dissemination of information, President Mahama announced the creation of a new position—a Minister of State in charge of government communications—situated directly under the presidency.

    “We had to be very strategic with how we dealt with the flow of information from government because that’s critical to the success of whatever we intend to do. That’s why we brought information into the presidency, with a Minister of State in charge of government communications, and anchored it with a string of strong communications professionals in the most critical sectors,” he explained.

    The President also outlined plans to modernize the Information Services Department (ISD), transitioning it into a dynamic entity under the presidency. This restructured ISD, he said, will focus on delivering consistent and accurate updates on government activities to the public in a timely manner.

    By integrating communication functions into the presidency and enhancing the ISD, President Mahama emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining effective government communication while meeting its pledge to reduce bureaucracy.

  • Why Sierra Leone has imposed a nationwide curfew

    Why Sierra Leone has imposed a nationwide curfew

    Sierra Leone is on curfew because some armed men broke into a prison and let the prisoners go free.

    Prisoners from Central Padema Road prison in the city of Freetown were let go on Sunday morning, a person in charge at the prison told BBC News.

    Before, armed men had attacked a military base in the city.

    People who live nearby heard gunshots at the barracks, which are near the president’s house.

    After the attack, the Ministry of Information said everyone in the country should stay inside right away.

    President Julius Maada Bio said everything is peaceful now and the police are looking for the people who did the shooting.

    The BBC’s reporter Umaru Fofana, who works in Freetown, says that there is still trouble in the city.

    He saw soldiers with big guns in a captured police car, and heard others saying they wanted to “clean Sierra Leone”.

    In June, President Julius Maada Bio won the election again after almost having to compete in a run-off.

    Several countries in West and Central Africa are now ruled by the military after a series of coups, including Guinea.

  • UTV studio attack: Information Ministry criticizes act by alleged NPP thugs

    UTV studio attack: Information Ministry criticizes act by alleged NPP thugs

    The Ministry of Information has strongly denounced the recent studio attack on United Television (UTV) by individuals purported to be affiliated with the NPP.

    “The Ministry condemns in no uncertain terms any unauthorized entry into media organizations in protest at media content or interference with media work. The right to free expression and the freedom of the media are key pillars of our democracy and must be fiercely protected,” it said.

    The Ministry issued a statement on Sunday, indicating that it had reported the incident to the Ghana Police Service (GPS) on Saturday, October 7, 2023, seeking their intervention.

    According to the Ministry, this followed reports to its Media Monitoring Center that a group of persons had entered UTV’s studios, allegedly without authorization, to express displeasure at the content of a live TV Programme.

    “The police subsequently arrested 16 persons at the premises of UTV, and investigations are currently ongoing. The Ministry stands with the police and the courts in the conduct of their duties,” it added.

  • Cedi depreciation worsened in first half of 2023 – Finance Minister

    Cedi depreciation worsened in first half of 2023 – Finance Minister

    Data from the Ministry of Finance indicates that the depreciation of the local currency against the dollar has worsened.

    Presenting the 2023 Mid Year Budget Review Statement to Parliament on Monday, July 31, 2023, the sector Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta indicated that cumulatively, the Ghana cedi depreciated by 22.1 percent against the US Dollar in the year to July 17, 2023.


    This is in comparison to 21.1 percent depreciation recorded in the same period in 2022.
    Statements from the Finance Minister indicates that in January 2023 alone, the cedi depreciated by 20 per cent.


    However, from February to July this year, the local currency has depreciated by “an impressive 1.84%”.


    Inflation
    According to the Finance Minister, headline inflation eased in the first half of 2023.

    From the peak at 54.1 percent in December 2022, headline inflation gradually trended downwards from 53.6 percent in January 2023 to 42.5 percent in June 2023.


    The moderation in inflation was largely supported by monetary policy tightening, relative stability in the exchange rate and lower and stable ex-pump petroleum prices.

  • Ministry of Information calls for justice for attacked Dagbon FM journalist

    The Ministry of Information has expressed concern over the alleged assault of Abubakari Sadiq Gariba, a radio presenter at Dagbon FM in Tamale.

    The Ministry has called on the police and other relevant agencies to investigate and prosecute the two attackers who assaulted Mr. Gariba on World Press Freedom Day.

    Mr. Gariba claims that he was attacked because he criticized one of the assailants during a live radio show.

    A video of the incident shows the two men threatening and assaulting the presenter, who eventually left the studio with them.

    The Ministry has strongly condemned the attack, stating that it is unacceptable and that Ghana must uphold its status as a country that respects press freedom.

    In a statement, the Ministry said, “Attacks on journalists should not be tolerated. Severe and speedy response from law enforcement agencies is necessary to prevent copycat acts and maintain Ghana’s status in upholding press freedom.”

    May 3rd marked World Press Freedom Day, which commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration for the Development of a Free, Independent and Pluralistic African Press.

    The theme for this year’s celebration was “30 years after the Windhoek declaration: Information as a Public Good.”

    Speaking at the national event, the UN Resident Coordinator for Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani, emphasized the importance of credible and reliable information in the lives of people, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    He praised journalists for their professionalism and called on them to avoid sensationalism and incitement.

    Similarly, the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, stressed the significance of the right to free expression in the nation’s development.

    He urged media outlets to avoid excessive politicization and to consolidate Ghana’s democratic gains.

    He also advised journalists to reject any politicians who poison the media atmosphere with provocative remarks.

    Attacks on journalists in Ghana

    Ghana is often regarded as a beacon of democracy and press freedom in West Africa, but the country has also witnessed several cases of attacks on journalists and media outlets over the years.

    These attacks have included physical assaults, threats, arbitrary arrests, detentions, and even killings.

    One of the most notorious cases of attacks on journalists in Ghana was the murder of Ahmed Hussein-Suale, an investigative journalist who worked with Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his Tiger Eye PI team.

    Hussein-Suale was shot dead by unknown assailants on a motorbike on January 16, 2019, after he had exposed corruption in Ghanaian football.

    Another prominent case was the assault on Latif Iddrisu, a journalist with Joy FM, who was beaten by police officers at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Accra on March 27, 2018.

    Iddrisu had gone there to cover the arrest of a deputy general secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.

    Other cases of attacks on journalists in Ghana have involved security agents, political party supporters, public officials, and private individuals.

    According to the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), a regional media watchdog, there were 31 incidents of violations against journalists and media outlets in Ghana in 2020.

    These violations included physical attacks, threats, arrests, detentions, seizure or destruction of equipment, censorship, and closure of media houses.

    The MFWA also reported that between January and June 2021, there were nine cases of violations against journalists and media outlets in Ghana, most of which were perpetrated by security agents.

    These violations included physical attacks, threats, arrests, detentions, and seizure or destruction of equipment.

    These attacks against journalists in Ghana have been increasing and intensifying — and the threat of physical violence is real.

    The journalist safety watchdog organisation, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) documented in May 2021, a total of 14 cases of abusive treatment of journalists in Ghana — five arrests and nine cases of violence — since the start of 2021.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Attackers of Dagbon FM journalist should be investigated and prosecuted – MoI

    Attackers of Dagbon FM journalist should be investigated and prosecuted – MoI

    The Ministry of Information has released a statement addressing an alleged assault on Abubakari Sadiq Gariba, a radio host from Tamale-based Dagbon FM.

    The Ghana Police Service and other relevant agencies have been contacted by the Ministry to conduct an investigation and bring charges against the two attackers.

    The Ministry highlighted the significance of prompt and forceful action from law enforcement officials to stop similar situations from happening again.

    The victim reported that he was assaulted due to his criticism of one of the attackers during a live radio program on World Press Freedom Day. 

    A video of the incident has been circulated on social media, showing the two unidentified assailants confronting and threatening the presenter. 

    Mr. Gariba ultimately left the studio with the attackers. 

    The Ministry strongly condemned the assault, affirming that attacks on journalists are unacceptable and that it is imperative to maintain Ghana’s reputation for upholding press freedom.

    “The Ministry of Information has noted with concern reports of assault on a journalist at Dagbon FM, in Tamale. The Ministry condemns the act and urges the Ghana Police Service and relevant agencies to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators. Attacks on journalists should not be countenanced. Severe and speedy response from law enforcement agencies is necessary to prevent copy-cat acts and maintain Ghana’s status in upholding press freedom,” the Ministry said in a statement.

  • Information Ministry presents 5 measures to halt disinformation 

    Information Ministry presents 5 measures to halt disinformation 

    As part of efforts to get rid of information released to deliberately mislead members of the general public, the Ministry of Information has come up with five countermeasures.

    According to the Ministry headed by Mr Oppong-Nkrumah, “fake news, conspiracy theories, hoaxes, or rumours that are presented as facts to the public” are weakening confidence in media outlets and government institutions, hence the need to tackle the canker immediately.

    “It undermines our democracy, the trust in our institutions and affects the smooth administration of governance activities,” the Information Minister added. 

    The Ministry has therefore come out with five measures that should be utilised by the public in order not to be misinformed.

    The initial step involves the public reading the entire information being presented. This, the Ministry says, is to check for evidence which has been presented to support the theme of the matter.

    Secondly, the public is to verify the credibility of the source of the information.

    “Check if the source is reputable and if they have a history of providing accurate information,” it added.

    Another tactic to be employed is cross-checking whether the information has also been reported by other reputable sources.

    “Please look for evidence that supports the information being provided. This evidence can include the date, time or headline,” the fourth measure states.

    In the absence of evidence, the Ministry encourages questioning the authenticity of the information. 

    The last but not least step requires members of the public visiting the website, www.ghanatoday.gov.gh, created by the Ministry for fact-checking.

    According to the Information Minister, a collective effort is necessary for Ghana to be “successful in this enterprise.”

    In view of this, a hashtag #verifyfirst has been initiated to get all Ghanaians on board in the fight against disinformation.

    Some personalities such as investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure; media personalities including Naa Ashorkor, Ameyaw Deborah, Nakeeyat Dramani Sam are actively supporting the government’s campaign. 

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Government criticizes enskinment of new Bawku Naba

    Government criticizes enskinment of new Bawku Naba

    The enskinment of a new Bawku Naba at Nalerigu has been deemed illegal by the government.

    “The Government condemns developments in Nalerigu today February 15, 2023, concerning the purported enskinment of a new Bawku Naba as illegal and a threat to National Security,” the government said in a statement issued by the Ministry of Information.

    “Government further re-iterates that Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II is the Bawku Naba, duly gazetted and a member of the National and Upper East Regional Houses of Chiefs.”

    “The Security agencies have therefore been directed to arrest and prosecute any other person who holds himself out as a Bawku Naba. Further, any developments that have the potential to undermine the peace of Bawku will also be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with law.”

  • 2023 Budget: Parliament approves GHC 114.78m for Information Ministry

    The implementation of the programs and activities of the Ministry of Information and its agencies for the fiscal year 2023 has received GHS114.78 million in approval from Parliament.

    The allocation includes GHC 111.16 million for employment remuneration, GHC 2.78 million for goods and services, and GHC 840,000.00 for capital expenditures.

    The House allocated GHC 151.89 million, later revised to GHC 143.30 million, to the Ministry of Information and its agencies for the fiscal year 2022.

    Out of the revised budget, the Ministry and its agencies expended a total of GHC90.38 million as of the end of November 2022.

    The policy objectives in line with the Ministry’s National Medium-Term Development Plan (2022-2025) include deepening democratic governance, strengthening transparency and public accountability, and promoting the fight against corruption and economic crimes.

    Agencies under the Ministry of Information include the Ministry’s headquarters, the Ghana News Agency, the Information Services Department (ISD), and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).

    Vincent Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister of Information, who moved the motion for the approval of the Ministry’s budgetary allocation, said in his comment on GBC’s debt issues before the court that public resources could not be used to settle that and, therefore, the Corporation had to generate resources to settle that.

    “…And, therefore, working with the Board and Management of GBC, we have been exploring ways by which an arrangement can be made to settle a part of the outstanding (debts), and then moving forward, there will be a new arrangement that will be in consonance with the law put in place,” he said.

    “So, Mr. Speaker, we expect that between these two extremes, we would be able to bring an end to the annual debt issues of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.”

    Mr. Sylvester Matthew Tetteh, the Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communication, and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ngleshie-Amanfro, said the Committee noted the achievement of the Ministry of Information regarding the government flagship programmes (GOVCOM) being implemented by the Ministry.

    He said the programmes being implemented comprised the Minister’s Press Briefing, Mass Media Campaigns, Reach on Social Media, Nation Building Updates, and Amplified.

    He said it was, however, noted that out of the Ministry’s request of six million Ghana cedis submitted to the Ministry of Finance for the implementation of the GOVCOM activities in 2023, only a paltry sum of GHC 600,000.00 (representing 10 per cent) had been allocated; stating that the Committee considered these programmes very critical to consolidate the nation’s democracy and good governance and should be continued.

    “In this regard, the Committee implores the Ministry of Finance to source additional funding to sustain the implementation of the programmes.”

    He said the committee noted the precarious financial circumstances of the Ministry of Information and its agencies, especially the GBC, and accordingly, strongly requested the Ministry of Finance to arrange additional funding to support their operations in 2023.

    Contributing to the debate on the Motion, Mr Alhassan Bashir Alhassan Fuseini, the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communication, and National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Sagnarigu, said the Information Ministry had the onerous responsibility of having to sensitise the people of the country about Government Policies and programmes, as well as serving as the feedback.

    He said the government could have the best of intentions; however, it still had to get the mechanisms for conveying that information to the people.

    He said many of the agencies under the Ministry were dealing with obsolete equipment and that there was a need for the government to do more to retool them.

    Mr. Iddrisu Haruna, the Minority Leader in Parliament and NDC MP for Tamale South, noted in his contribution that the Minister of Information needed support in order to communicate the government and its policies well.

    He said he was disappointed at what he was seeing in terms of budgetary allocation and budgetary resources for the Ministry of Information.

    He called for the repositioning of the GBC, like the BBC and CNN, to make sure that the GBC itself functioned more effectively on a digital platform.

    The minority leader said GBC was very capable of making it if given the needed support by the government.