All those who have had dealing with Mr Ofosu Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development attest to the fact that his human relations are good. He knows how to deal with the media in an environment of mutual trust and respect. Even when he was displeased with the work of any media organisation, he knew how to express his displeasure to the disadvantage of his detractors.
Unfortunately, Dr Kwasi Appea-Kubi who took over from Mr Ofosu Ampofo as the Eastern Regional Minister appears to have a different approach. Like many Ghanaians who think that the powers and authority of political leadership at all levels surpass that of all other citizens, the Eastern Regional Minister is enmeshed in the hubris that the political head in the region directs all others about what they must do and that anything done which causes him discomfort, must be condemned in the most outrageous manner.
Following media reports that there was confusion at a meeting of executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the Residency or Regional Co-ordinating council, which the Minister claims was false, he openly abused, insulted and threatened the media personnel, pointing out that he would not tolerate any nonsense, appealing to the emotions of people by stating that the idiocy of a few of the journalists was tarnishing the image of the profession.
He went below that insisting that the journalist could record him and play back as many times as they wished and that he would not be bothered. He even suggested that the Regional Co-ordinating Council was paying the journalists without returns.
It is very bothersome that the meeting of the NDC regional executives took place at the Residency or Regional Co-ordinating Council. That is clearly an abuse of public trust. And if indeed the journalists are paid to cover activities of the Regional Co-ordinating Council that in itself is evil and bad. It is even worse if public funds are spent to ensure a favourable image of a political party.
That is why the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) must go beyond merely describing the actions of the Regional Minister as unfortunate and condemn it in unqualified terms.
Beyond that, the GJA must investigate whether indeed, journalists in the Eastern Region are on the pay roll of the Regional Co-ordinating Council. The Eastern Region branch of the GJA must come clean of the allegations to give assurance to Ghanaians that they are above money and inducements in the discharge of their obligations.
It is equally important that we distinguish state activities from political party functions. As it is, it was the Eastern Region executives of the NDC who influenced the Regional Minister to act the way he did and he came out badly.
If the Regional Minister had exercised some caution or patience, he could have expressed his disappointment another way.
It is not for nothing that Jesus admonishes us all never to sleep over our anger. We need to let our anger go away before we set out to act, otherwise we would cut out miserable images of ourselves.
The tantrums of Dr Appea-Kubi that they could record him and play back, appears in the mould of Cain after he murdered Abel. When God appeared and asked him where his brother was, Cain retorted that he was not his brother’s keeper, whereby God responded that if he had acted in good faith, he would have been happy to state where his brother was.
Those of us in public office must learn how to be tolerant, especially of issues we do not agree with. More importantly, we must realise that if we have to get angry at anything which offends us, we would look mean and demean our self-esteem.
There are no foolish or idiotic questions as far as journalism is concerned. Therefore, no matter how provocative the actions of a journalist, we must respond with decorum and measured answers rather than wanton and irresponsible display of haughtiness, hawkish postures and empty threats.
The days when politicians determined which journalists operated from their regions or directed what should be published are over for good because the media are guaranteed freedom and are not to be harassed or penalised for the content of their publications.
Dr Appea-Kubi must apologise for his raving and ranting.
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