The economist Kwame Pianim has lashed out at the current and previous governments for appointing journalists to the boards of public institutions in Ghana.
Pianim’s comment comes after the recent appointments of Paul Adom-Otchere (Metro TV) and Kwame Sefa Kayi (Peace FM) to the boards of Ghana Airports Company Ltd and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
Speaking in an interview with Kwaku Nhyira-Addo on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday (16 December), Pianim said such appointments make it difficult for journalists to be neutral in playing their watchdog role effectively.
“You and I should also make sure that we speak the truth. The media (the fourth estate), yours is to speak truth to power, and I have told my friends who are in the media that if you are easily dazzled by the glare of power don’t get close to power,” Pianim said.
He added: “I said it at our meeting the other time: no media person should be a member of the board of any public institution.
“How can you criticise a government that you are a part of? If you are a think tank, you are criticising policy: you should not be part of policymaking.”
Source: Fred Dzakpata
