The Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has urged journalists to maintain professionalism and integrity as they prepare to cover the 7 December Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) ahead of the polls, Ms Abubakar highlighted the media’s critical role in safeguarding peace and democracy, warning against the dissemination of falsehoods or sensationalism that could incite violence.

“[Reports] should not be based on inducement or anything…or inserting yourself because of your personal, political, parochial interests and saying because this is where I think the election should go, let me incite, let me embellish, let me lie,” she cautioned.

She stressed that partisanship in journalism undermines democracy, noting: “I should also not perpetuate falsehood so that the stories will be sweeter for my political party and sour for the other political party…That, we should not do!”

The Information Minister also appealed to politicians to act responsibly, avoiding inflammatory statements and upholding the legal framework governing the elections.

“For us politicians, I think it’s only about the quality of your argument and not to go and insult somebody, to incite violence or anything of that sort…Yours is to make sure your agents are vigilant and they are policing the process,” she stated.

Ms Abubakar commended the ongoing election campaign for its emphasis on issue-based discussions, describing it as evidence of Ghana’s maturing democracy.

“These days it is a contest of ideas. People are raising arguments and trying their best to come up with policies that resonate with people. And I am excited that as we deal with more dialogue and less violence, our democracy is progressing,” she remarked.

Encouraging citizens to participate in the polls, Ms Abubakar expressed confidence in the Electoral Commission’s ability to conduct a credible election.

“I’m excited that on Saturday, we’re all going to vote and trust the Electoral Commission, as created by the Constitution, and all the robust mechanisms put in place will deliver a free and fair election. At the end of the day, there will always be a President for Ghana, and there will be peace and cohesion,” she added.