Deputy Minister for Education Dr Clement Abas Apaak has called on media organisations to invest in journalists and urged public institutions to stop treating legitimate questions from reporters as attacks.
He said producing credible investigative and development journalism requires adequate resources, access to information and strong editorial oversight, while public institutions must be prepared to account for their decisions and use of public resources.
Speaking at the 5th Upper East Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards in Bolgatanga, Dr Apaak said journalists could not be expected to produce quality accountability stories without the necessary support from their newsrooms.
“If we want stronger investigative and development journalism out of the Upper East Region, we must invest in the journalists who are expected to produce it,” he said.
According to him, journalists need sufficient time, transport and access to information to investigate issues thoroughly, while editors must be prepared to question the evidence supporting their reports.
He said editors should routinely challenge reporters to establish the sources of figures, seek responses from people or institutions mentioned in their stories and verify claims before publication.
Dr Apaak argued that such editorial scrutiny was necessary to protect the credibility of journalism and strengthen public confidence in media reporting.
He also urged public institutions to respond constructively when journalists raise questions about public services, development projects and the management of public resources.
“A journalist’s question is not automatically an attack,” he stated.
The Deputy Minister said questions about why a health facility lacks water or why a development project has stalled should be treated as legitimate accountability concerns rather than attempts to discredit the institutions responsible.
“Where the media gets something wrong, correct the record. But where the question is fair, answer it. That is how accountability works,” he said.
Dr Apaak maintained that public institutions exist to serve citizens and therefore have a responsibility to provide credible answers when questions are raised about their performance.
He also reminded journalists that their responsibility to hold institutions accountable must be matched by a commitment to accuracy, fairness and verification.
According to him, reporters must give individuals and institutions opportunities to respond to allegations and correct mistakes when they occur.
The Deputy Minister further urged journalists in the Upper East Region to pursue sustained reporting on issues affecting communities, particularly in health, education, agriculture, water and sanitation.
He said journalists should not abandon stories after reporting initial developments but should continue examining whether promises have been fulfilled and public resources have produced the intended results.
“Do not leave the story at the headline. Stay with the issue. Follow the promise, follow the money, follow the people affected,” he said.
Dr Apaak was the Special Guest of Honour at the 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards, which recognised journalists for their contributions to public-interest reporting and development in the region.
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