The National Democratic Congress (NDC) national chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has called on journalists to subject the government to sustained scrutiny, particularly on public spending, development projects, and campaign promises. Speaking at the 4th Bono Regional Ghana Journalists Association Awards in Sunyani, Asiedu Nketiah emphasized the importance of media scrutiny in ensuring government accountability. He urged journalists to examine government expenditure and track projects to determine whether commitments made to Ghanaians were being fulfilled.
Asiedu Nketiah encouraged journalists in the Bono Region to maintain detailed records of major public investments, including project costs, contractors, timelines, and contractual terms. This, he said, would allow journalists and the public to assess projects over time and determine whether they had been completed and delivered value for money. The NDC chairman stressed that journalism should go beyond reporting official announcements to providing an independent record against which public officials could be held accountable.
The awards ceremony, held under the theme "Ethics, Integrity, and Impactful Journalism, Essential Ingredients for Societal Transformation," recognized outstanding journalists in the region. Joy News correspondent Precious Semevoh was named Best Journalist in Climate Change and Green Transition Reporting, while Lawrence Yeboah Gyan of Wisdom FM won the overall Bono Regional Best Journalist of the Year 2025 award. The guest speaker, University of Energy and Natural Resources Vice Chancellor Prof Elvis Asare-Bediako, urged journalists to uphold accuracy, ethics, and integrity.
Asiedu Nketiah also called for improved working conditions and greater institutional support for journalists, arguing that media organisations needed sufficient resources to employ and retain experienced professionals and conduct investigative reporting. He emphasized that better working conditions would help journalists perform their watchdog role without becoming financially dependent on politicians, businesses, or institutions they cover.
The NDC chairman urged politicians to provide journalists with information needed for accurate reporting and said difficult questions should not automatically be treated as hostility. He stressed that the government should expect scrutiny, and ministers should answer legitimate questions. Asiedu Nketiah's remarks were made in the context of the Mahama government's efforts to implement its campaign promises and development projects.
Asaase Radio, a leading media organization in Ghana, organized the awards ceremony. The radio station has several affiliates across the country, including Bawku FM, Bead FM, Mining City Radio, and Wale FM. Asaase Radio's Managing Director emphasized the importance of promoting high professional standards in journalism and providing a platform for journalists to showcase their work.
The event concluded with a call to action for journalists to continue playing their critical role in holding public officials accountable. Asiedu Nketiah's warning to the Mahama government to expect media scrutiny is seen as a significant development in Ghana's democratic landscape. The government's response to these calls for accountability remains to be seen.
Key points
- Asiedu Nketiah urges journalists to scrutinize the Mahama government on public spending and campaign promises.
- Journalists are encouraged to maintain detailed records of major public investments to track project implementation.
- The event recognized outstanding journalists in the Bono Region, with Precious Semevoh and Lawrence Yeboah Gyan winning top awards.
