• About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Thursday, October 2, 2025
  • Login
The Vaultz News
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2DNew
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships
No Result
View All Result
The Vaultz News
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2DNew
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships
No Result
View All Result
The Vaultz News
No Result
View All Result

Media and CSOs, Critical Components of Ghana’s Democratic Odyssey

Stephen M.Cby Stephen M.C
March 14, 2024
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Stephen M.Cby Stephen M.C
in General News
0
Media and CSOs, Critical Components of Ghana’s Democratic Odyssey

Ghana’s democracy is relatively young but has shown promising signs of greatness. Given that the country has enjoyed a peaceful transition from one party to another as well as one individual, it is no surprise that Ghana remains a shining example across the continent.

 However, a few other areas require improvement to deepen, strengthen, and sustain Ghana’s democracy. One of those areas is accountability, and in this regard, two distinct institutions, the media and civil society organizations (CSOs) play a crucial and complementary role in holding the state and government accountable to the public.

For this reason, occasionally, the state views their activities with some reservation and hostility. That does not go to say that usually though, their relationship is cordial. The media and civil society have also demonstrated needed tenacity and restraints, and this has made them the cornerstone of Ghana’s democratic successes.

RelatedPosts

Beyond US Visa Restriction Reversal: Ghana Moves to Renegotiate 15% Tariff and Secure AGOA Renewal

Mahama Commissions New Ambassadors, Demands High Standards of Service

AI Apps to Transform Senior High School Education

Polarization and Balance

As the country lurches into an election later this year, more specifically December 7, 2024, one cannot expect less of them. With the increasing polarization of the country along partisan lines, the media and civil society respectively constitute the unofficial “fourth and fifth arm” of the state and must provide the crucial balance that would hold the state together.

The power of the media as a force for good and evil cannot be lost in our minds. The case of the Rwanda Genocide of 1994 and the role of radio in propagating such hate is a known lesson, despite being regrettable. On the Continent, Ghana can boast of having one of the most liberal and thriving media landscapes.

There are multiple radio and television stations spread across its length and breadth. The print and online media are also doing well and both state and private media station stations exist across the board. It is the relevance of the media that, Ghana’s ex-president DR. Hilla Liman stated. 

I shall, as elected President of Ghana, be forever prepared to submit to the acid test of public judgment the claims of those who may think that they represent the public more than me or any other political leader. Bluff, snobbery ,and arrogance on all sides must now cease, so that the Press Commission can function in a way that it has been envisaged by those who have never had any personal axe to grind. I have long been one of the protagonists myself. Since the functions of the Press Commission have clearly been spelt out in the Constitution, I can do no more than reassure its members and our journalists that my government will respect, uphold and defend the Constitution and thus do everything in our power to help the Press Commission discharge its obligation, in the overall interest of the public to which we are all to varying degrees accountable.

Ex-President Hilla Liman

The Ghanaian media like its sisters across the continent has seen several turbulences, with repressive and accommodative periods in the past. In defending such a period of repression under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) government, its press secretary was categorical when she said.

I don’t see the press as lying outside the political institutions that we already have. This is where I feel people ought to realise that the press differs from country to country. In a situation like ours, where we need to conscientize people, and where we have an illiteracy problem, you use institutions like the press to do the conscientization.

Joyce Aryee

Today, the media is free than it has ever been despite some tendency towards governmental control. Under the current administration, Radio Gold had its license withdrawn in a move seen by many as an attempt by the New Patriotic Party’s government to control the media environment through fear and intimidation. In a rebuttal to his critiques, President Nana Addo continues to underscore the importance of the media to Ghana’s pledging democracy.

“There is no danger of dissenting voices not being heard on any subject, even though we still have more work to do on elevating the quality of public discourse.”

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

Civil Society Organizations as a Bulwark

Civil Society on its part plays a pivotal role as well. Ghanaian Think Tanks like IMANI Centre for Policy and Education and the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) are heavyweights on the continent. They educate and inform both government and citizenry on policies, alternatives, and international best practices.

Furthermore, institutions like this provide the government and the public with data on several issues crucial to the country’s development. More often than not, CSOs come under criticism either from the government or its sympathizers. 

Nonetheless, Civil Society just like the media constitutes a critical component of Ghana’s democratic odyssey, if the Fourth Republic is not to be a Sojourn like its predecessors, then, the pivotal role of these two establishments must be recognized, nurtured, and appreciated. Of course, it cannot be out of place to remind them that, on their part, they must act with objectivity and patriotism.

Read Also: On the campaign trail, what have you heard

Tags: CSOdemocracyGovernmentMedia
Please login to join discussion
Previous Post

The Lost Art of Living

Next Post

Pragmatic Response to Europe’s Shifting Security Landscape

[mc4wp_form id="1264"]

Related Posts

President John Dramani Mahama
General News

Beyond US Visa Restriction Reversal: Ghana Moves to Renegotiate 15% Tariff and Secure AGOA Renewal

October 1, 2025
President John Dramani Mahama
General News

Mahama Commissions New Ambassadors, Demands High Standards of Service

October 1, 2025
Vance Signals US Indifference To India-Pakistan Conflict
USA

Vance Warns Of Layoffs If Shutdown Drags On

October 1, 2025
Vendor Engagement Seminar
Extractives/Energy

GNPC Hosts Maiden Vendor Engagement to Boost Local Content 

October 1, 2025
AI Apps to Transform Senior High School Education
General News

AI Apps to Transform Senior High School Education

October 1, 2025
Morocco Youth Protests Escalate Into Nationwide Unrest
Africa

Morocco Youth Protests Escalate Into Nationwide Unrest

October 1, 2025
President John Dramani Mahama
General News

Beyond US Visa Restriction Reversal: Ghana Moves to Renegotiate 15% Tariff and Secure AGOA Renewal

by Evans Junior OwuOctober 1, 2025
President John Dramani Mahama
General News

Mahama Commissions New Ambassadors, Demands High Standards of Service

by Evans Junior OwuOctober 1, 2025
Vance Signals US Indifference To India-Pakistan Conflict
USA

Vance Warns Of Layoffs If Shutdown Drags On

by Comfort AmpomaaOctober 1, 2025
Vendor Engagement Seminar
Extractives/Energy

GNPC Hosts Maiden Vendor Engagement to Boost Local Content 

by Prince AgyapongOctober 1, 2025
AI Apps to Transform Senior High School Education
General News

AI Apps to Transform Senior High School Education

by Silas Kafui AssemOctober 1, 2025
Morocco Youth Protests Escalate Into Nationwide Unrest
Africa

Morocco Youth Protests Escalate Into Nationwide Unrest

by Lawrence AnkutseOctober 1, 2025
President John Dramani Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama
Vance Signals US Indifference To India-Pakistan Conflict
Vendor Engagement Seminar
AI Apps to Transform Senior High School Education
Morocco Youth Protests Escalate Into Nationwide Unrest
[/vc_row_inner]

Recent News

  • Beyond US Visa Restriction Reversal: Ghana Moves to Renegotiate 15% Tariff and Secure AGOA Renewal
  • Mahama Commissions New Ambassadors, Demands High Standards of Service
  • Vance Warns Of Layoffs If Shutdown Drags On
  • GNPC Hosts Maiden Vendor Engagement to Boost Local Content 
  • AI Apps to Transform Senior High School Education
The Vaultz News

Copyright © 2025 The Vaultz News. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2D
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships

Copyright © 2025 The Vaultz News. All rights reserved.