Source: newsthemegh.com
John Dramani Mahama,, former president and National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, has expressed disappointment in the Ghanaian media for their inability to hold the government accountable on important environmental issues like the nation’s worsening sanitation, illegal mining (galamsey), and deforestation.
On Friday, May 3, in honor of World Press Freedom Day 2024, Mr. Mahama shared this statement on social media under the heading “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.”
He emphasized how severely Ghana’s woods and waterways are being degraded and claimed that this posed a serious threat to the lives of the people living there.
As a result, Mr. Mahama urged the media to use its power to motivate decision-makers to act.
“The ongoing degradation of our water bodies and forests poses significant threats to our environment, as well as to the health and livelihoods of our communities. It is crucial that the media, with its power to expose these harmful activities, inspires society and relevant authorities into action,”
“As a leader committed to building the Ghana we want, I am steadfast in my commitment to fostering a stronger partnership between the government and the media. Together, we will protect our natural resources for the benefit of future generations. Together with the media, we will aim to foster a more transparent and accountable framework that emphasises sustainable development and environmental conservation.” he posted.
Furthermore, he called for collaboration between the government and the media to ensure transparency in the environmental protection endeavor.