The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana to lift its restrictions on media access to collation centres during the 2024 elections. The MFWA has expressed concerns that limiting journalists’ access could hinder transparency and the public’s right to information during the election process.
The foundation advocates for unrestricted media coverage of the collation centres to ensure that the process is conducted openly, with media personnel able to report on the collation of results in real time. This is viewed as crucial for maintaining trust in the electoral system and providing the public with timely and accurate information about the election results.
The MFWA’s call aligns with its broader mission of promoting freedom of expression, access to information, and democratic accountability in West Africa. By pushing for more media access, the MFWA hopes to enhance the transparency of the electoral process and safeguard the integrity of the 2024 elections. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has raised serious concerns about the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to restrict media access to collation centres during the 2024 elections, arguing that this move could undermine the transparency and accountability of the electoral process. The MFWA highlights that the media plays a critical role in providing oversight, ensuring that election activities are conducted fairly, and keeping the public informed. By limiting media access, the MFWA suggests that the public may be deprived of independent verification of the election results, potentially diminishing trust in the process.
The EC’s directive, outlined in a memo to its regional directors, indicates that only a limited number of media organizations will be accredited to cover collation activities at the constituency and regional centres. At the constituency level, only eight media organizations will be granted accreditation, including three television stations (with two personnel each) and five radio stations (with one representative each). For regional collation centres, the EC has expanded access slightly, allowing 12 media outlets, comprising five television stations (with two personnel per station) and seven radio stations (with one representative per outlet).
The MFWA has expressed concern that such restrictive measures could prevent a broader range of media outlets from performing their vital role in reporting on the election, thereby reducing the diversity of coverage and the level of scrutiny over the electoral process. The organization is urging the EC to reconsider these limitations to ensure greater transparency and to uphold the media’s critical role in democratic governance.
Dr. Bossman Asare, the Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), defended the directive to limit media access to collation centres during the 2024 elections. He explained that the restrictions were intended to ensure a smooth and efficient collation process, with the EC believing that having eight media houses at the constituency level and twelve at the regional level was a suitable and manageable approach to covering the proceedings.
Despite Dr. Asare’s justification, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) remains unconvinced by the EC’s rationale. The MFWA has voiced concerns that these restrictions could impede comprehensive media coverage and ultimately diminish public trust in the election process. The foundation stresses that broader media access is essential for ensuring transparency and for providing the public with diverse, independent reports on the election’s progress.
Sulemana Braimah, the Executive Director of the MFWA, expressed his surprise and disappointment at the EC’s decision during an interview with Channel One TV on November 26th. He questioned the reasoning behind limiting media access, emphasizing that such restrictions could have negative consequences for both the election’s credibility and public confidence in its fairness. Sulemana Braimah, the Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), further criticized the Electoral Commission’s (EC) directive, particularly the exclusion of other media formats, such as newspapers and online platforms, from the accreditation list for covering collation activities. He questioned the EC’s decision to limit media access to just radio and television outlets, highlighting that this approach fails to recognize the important role that print and digital media play in providing diverse and comprehensive coverage.
“Since when did media coverage become just radio and television?” Braimah asked, expressing his concern that the directive overlooked the broader media landscape. He called the action “misguided” and urged the EC to reverse its decision to ensure more inclusive media access. Braimah’s remarks reflect the MFWA’s belief that a wider range of media outlets should be allowed to report on the election, thus enhancing transparency and fostering greater public trust in the electoral process.
