they are completely useless, says a leading minister of government

A leading minister of Prof. Mills’ government has described the media in Ghana as a complete waste of time and space. In a very private conversation, the minister reckons the media in Ghana is the cause of Ghana’s woes; all the conflicts, tension, family break-ups and underdevelopment. In a country like Ghana all we need is constructive discussions not ‘junk’ discussions about people’s private life and sensational stories most of which are false. He described the media personnel as beggars who have choices. According to him the ‘pro-NDC’ media have gone on an unprecedented begging spree which is worrying the party as well as government. And that there is nothing the government can do for them because all media houses in Ghana are playing the same role and therefore the government will not discriminate against any media house.

What started off as a light-hearted conversation turned out to unearthed what is hidden from the general public, especially the media houses claiming to be pro-NDC and promotes the agenda of the government. The ‘pro NDC’ media is described as unprofessional, lacking a track record and always begging government and party functionaries for favours.

He also poked them saying ‘what benefit will the NDC/government get from the so-called pro-government media when they are completely useless and lacks professionalism?’ He adds ‘the pro-Opposition media are rather promoting the government more than those who claim to support us’. When reminded about the role these media houses played in bringing NDC back to power, he said NDC would have come back to power anyway. He therefore discounted the contribution of these media houses.

This will come as a surprise to some media men and government officials alike, especially so that the government is struggling with its communications arrangement. The pro-government media men have long complained that they have not been rewarded by the NDC and are therefore baring their teeth waiting for 2012 elections possibly to switch their allegiance. This will come as a shocker to media houses like Radio Gold, Palaver, Democrat, Daily Post, Lens etc., who played a major role in the ran up to elections 2008.

I am reliably informed that the views of this leading member of government/NDC are also held by majority of party leaders as well as government members. I am also informed that leading figures are equating this issue to the agitations by the ‘foot soldiers’ who are also up in arms for being neglected.

The NDC over the years has not been in bed with the Ghanaian media. It has always been at the receiving end of the venomous media. The coffee shop mafia has made it a specialty to always bring down the NDC. And indeed, one fact that came out of the private chat is that Prof Mills’ government agreed at a meeting that the only way to sustain governance is to contain the ‘vicious’ opposition media by giving them what they want. According to this leading figure, this meeting preceded another one held by the party to discuss how to handle the media. At the said meeting, they agreed that giving priority to opposition media is the surest way of continuing governance.

It was also agreed that a special fund for that must be set-up but the bone of contention was how to disburse the funds. Whilst some believed that containing people like Kwaku Baako, Egbert Faible, Gina Blay, Kwame Sefa Kayi etc. is good for the better Ghana agenda, others believed that Kwesi Pratt and his group must not be sidelined even though they are already taking care of.

These revelations are shocking and will definitely provoke the anger of many pro-NDC journalists who have sacrificed for eight years of NPP rule that completely ignored them and even nearly ended their careers. It will however not surprise other because the government/NDC officials are quick to accept invitations to appear on pro-opposition media networks but very, very hesitant to appear on pro-government media networks.

My personal position on this matter is that it will be suicidal if NDC government should underestimate the potency of their media houses. What they must understand is that if these media houses could withstand the blaze of NPP under Kufuor and their vicious media, what makes NDC think that they could suffocate them now. Is it not good that you have about 2% of media friends in Ghana and across the world who could defeat 98% of media who opposed and continue to oppose you? This is the time that the NDC government should have used these media houses effectively. One thing is however clear, come 2012 all the media houses who are now ‘friendly’ to NDC will not promote the course of the government.

The conversation with the leading member of the government brought out a lot of worrying issues which I will not repeat here. But my advice to pro-NDC government media is that; look elsewhere for salvation. Neither the NDC party nor the government is ready to support you in anyway. It is much better you take your destiny into your own bosom to find your own solutions for your problems. Be wary of the few pro-government journalists who now feed fat from personalities within government and farting in order to anger you.

In the coming weeks I shall release some information from the meetings held by both government and the NDC party. It will not make pleasant reading for Pro-NDC government media but it’s better for them to know the basic truth and the hidden agenda of the NDC government towards the media they describe as useless and who can’t afford ‘trotro’ fares let alone rent accommodation (not build houses). But I know the pro-opposition media men are smiling gleefully all the way to the bank.

Nana K Eshun