Volta Premier Fm
By: Enoch Nyadzor
Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has emphasized on the important role of the media in upholding accountability within all the arms of government. Speaking on the need for scrutiny of the three branches of government (executive, legislature, and judiciary), at a press soiree in Ho, on December 14, 2023, Hon. Bagbin urged the media to be a watchdog to ensure leaders fulfill their responsibilities while in public office and manage public funds very well.
He said, “the group of people that society has structured to do so is the media. The media is supposed to hold the three arms of government to account their stewardship.”
The Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin further explained the scope of accountability beyond finances. He asserted, “When we are talking about accountability, we are not just talking about financial accountability. We are talking beyond that. We are talking about the trust the people have given to you.”
Advocating for the inclusion of the fourth arm of government (the media), Hon. Bagbin stated, “Without strong media, without strong civil society organizations, no government works well all over the world.”
Acknowledging the challenges in holding the government accountable, Bagbin attributed the issue to the excessive power vested in the executive arm. His call for an expanded role of the media and civil society organizations underscores the broader need for transparency and checks and balances in governance.
