In a compelling World Press Freedom Day message for 2024, former President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized the pivotal role of journalism in addressing the looming environmental crisis facing the country.
The National Democratic Congress flagbearer commenting on the theme for the 2024 World Press Freedom Day “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis” highlighted the urgent need for media to hold the government accountable for critical environmental issues plaguing the country.
“On this World Press Freedom Day, let us reaffirm our dedication to journalism’s crucial role in confronting the environmental crisis and shaping a better future for everyone”.
Fomer President John Dramani Mahama
The former President particularly expressed grave concern over the failure of the media to effectively address pressing environmental concerns, including illegal mining, deforestation, and deteriorating sanitation confronting the country.
He underscored the detrimental impact of these activities on Ghana’s water bodies, forests, and communities, emphasizing their profound implications for both the environment and public health.
Calls for Government-Media-Partnership
The National Democratic Congress flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama in a call for action advocated for a stronger partnership between the government and the media to address these challenges collaboratively.
Central to former President John Dramani Mahama’s message was the imperative to protect Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.
He emphasized the need for a comprehensive and proactive approach to environmental conservation, driven by the media’s power to expose harmful activities and inspire societal and governmental action.
Furthermore, the National Democratic Congress flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama reiterated his commitment to fostering transparency, accountability, and sustainable development in Ghana’s environmental policies when elected into power in 2025.
As part of his vision and plans to build a better and prosperous Ghana for all citizens when elected as President, the former President expressed his commitment and steadfast to foster a stronger partnership between the government and the media.
Expressing confidence in the power of partnership between the government and the media, Mr Mahama emphasized that the next National Democratic Congress administration under his leadership would seek to protect the country’s natural resources for the benefit of future generations.
He urged journalists and media organizations to prioritize environmental reporting and advocacy in the diischarge of their mandate.
Mr Mahama also urged the media to leverage its influence to drive positive change and shape a more sustainable future for all Ghanaians.
In an earlier statement, the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram Constituenc, Honorable Samuel Nartey George expressed his dissatisfaction with Ghana’s performance in the latest World Press Freedom Index.
The opposition lawmaker comparing the country’s latest press freedom rank of 50 out of 180 countries in the world to the 2023 rank of 62 expressed disappointment, thereby calling for more action from the government to increase the country’s rank.
He denounced the ruling government’s celebration of the country’s latest ranking as an improvement, stressing that the ranking being touted is far below the country’s stellar performance in the past.
He further recounted that the index reflected a positive outlook during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, emphasizing that the New Patriotic Party’s administration’s best performance in the World Press Freedom Index does not even come close to the National Democratic Congress worst performance while in office.
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