The appointment of some of Ghana’s journalists to various positions in the new administration is generating a lot of debate.

Whilst some people see it as a benefiting reward for the media practitioners for the role they played in propelling the Kufuor administration to power, others describe it as recognition of the ability and capabilities of journalists to perform in such other capacities.

According to the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, such appointments are just mere recognition of the abilities of media practitioners to contribute in other capacities. Media practitioners who have found jobs in the Kufuor administration include, Mr. Joe Aggrey, formerly of the Graphic Sports and now the deputy Minister for Youth and Sports. Mr. Kabral Blay-Amihere, the Publisher of the Independent Newspaper, now Ghana’s Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Kwesi Biney, formerly the editor of the Guide and now a district chief executive, the editor and publisher of the Accra Mail, Harruna Atta, Board Member for both the National Commission on Culture and the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR). There are also reports of journalists who were offered jobs but they refused to take them.

According to the Ghanaian Voice, a private newspaper, president Kufuor is more media-friendly. “Since he came to power, he has had intimate reactions with the media and has opened doors for mutual discussions that are not aimed at domesticating the press but to ask for their support to lunge the country forward in this era of positive change.”

The Minority NDC sees these appointments as the NPP’s show of gratitude to the media for the role it played in the run-up to the elections, which it says, contributed to the electoral success story of the NPP.

Minority leader, Alban Bagbin expressed the fear that the extent of the appointments could eventually make the media compromise its objectivity.