National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has called on the media to closely monitor and report on ongoing government development projects in Ghana. He made this appeal at the fourth edition of the Bono Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association's Awards in Sunyani, Bono Region. According to him, this will enable the nation to achieve value for money. Nketiah emphasized the integral role journalism plays in advancing the nation's development.
The government is investing heavily in public development projects across the country, with billions of cedis allocated to various initiatives in the Bono Region. Nketiah encouraged media practitioners to keep detailed records of these investments and monitor their implementation. He advised them to know the specifics of awarded contracts, including the contractors and completion timelines. This, he believes, will ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.
The event, themed "Ethics, integrity and impactful Journalism: Essential ingredients for societal transformation," honored nine deserving media practitioners and journalists. Nketiah stressed the importance of follow-up reporting on contract-awarded projects to determine whether they have been completed and to ensure value for money. He emphasized that if a project is working well, the public deserves to know, and if there are problems, journalists must investigate and identify those responsible.
Nketiah highlighted the significance of maintaining credible records of development projects, which should not rely solely on the version presented by either side. He noted that five years from now, it should be possible to consult media archives and reconstruct the progress of major development commitments. This, he believes, is one way journalism holds power to account, as governments and political parties naturally tell their own stories.
The NDC Chairman emphasized that journalism practice at the regional level is particularly important, as much of the country's discourse remains concentrated in Accra. He urged media practitioners to deepen their presence in local communities, using evidence-based reporting to document development projects and hold duty-bearers accountable. This, he believes, will help uncover issues that matter most to people's lives.
Nketiah noted that some of the most critical issues will not emerge from press conferences but can be found in communities, markets, farms, schools, hospitals, district budgets, and procurement records. He encouraged media organizations to leave behind credible records that provide an accurate account of development projects. This, he believes, will promote transparency and accountability in governance.
The government has invested GH¢4.12 billion into road infrastructure in the Bono Region, according to Nketiah. He urged the media to monitor and report on such projects to ensure that the public is informed about the progress and challenges faced. By doing so, the media can play a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
Key points
- Asiedu Nketiah urges media to monitor and spotlight on-going govt's development projects.
- The government has invested heavily in public development projects across the country.
- Journalism plays an integral role in advancing the nation's development.
