At the 4th Bono Regional Ghana Journalists Association Awards, National Democratic Congress National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah called on the John Dramani Mahama‑led government to remain open to public scrutiny, transparency and accountability while it works to fulfil its commitments to Ghanaians.
He said accountability is an essential component of democratic governance and should not be viewed as an obstacle or an attack on the government. Ministers of State and other public officials must respond to legitimate questions about their decisions, policies and performance, especially when those questions relate to the use of public resources and promises made to citizens.
Asiedu Nketiah underscored the media’s role in holding public officials to account and in providing the public with accurate information about government work. He stressed that the Mahama administration must be prepared to have its policies, programmes, expenditure and performance examined by the public and the media.
“I say this as National Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress. This government should expect scrutiny. Ministers should answer legitimate questions. Public expenditure should be examined. The promises we made to Ghanaians should be checked against what we deliver,” he said. “That is part of governing in a democracy and a government that intends to perform should have no difficulty with it at all. The public should also receive an accurate account when work is being done well.”
He added that journalism serves citizens best when facts are established properly and reported without regard to which political party finds them convenient.
