Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of Media Foundation for West Africa
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has expressed shock over the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to limit media access to collation centres during the 2024 elections.
In an interview with Channel One TV on November 27, 2024, Sulemana Braimah, the Executive Director of MFWA, described the decision as unprecedented in Ghana’s electoral history, which dates back to 1992.
“It is quite shocking because this is not the first time we are having elections as a country, we started in 1992, and we kept growing. This is the first time I am hearing the EC take this action,” he noted.
He explained that limiting media access to collation centres would undermine the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
“Elections are public events, and the media serves as a bridge between the electoral process and the public. Restricting their presence undermines transparency and could further erode public trust in the EC, which studies suggest has been waning,” he noted.
In response to growing concerns, the Electoral Commission (EC) stated on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, acknowledging the public backlash.
The EC further assured stakeholders that it would engage with media organisations, including the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) to explore mutually workable solutions.
JKB/AE
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