Former Deputy Minister for Tourism, Okraku Mantey, has raised concerns over the conduct of Abeiku Santana, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), who reportedly hosts a radio show during official working hours.
In an interview with Joy FM’s A-Z Entertainment show, Okraku Mantey questioned the propriety of Santana’s simultaneous engagement in public office duties and media work.
“Why is Abeiku Santana going on air, taking public office and still working at OKAY FM, and you guys are quiet?” he asked
He added, “Santana works for the Ghana Tourism Authority a public office, and he’s using office hours to work at OKAY FM. It’s not acceptable. It is not in line with public commission laws. I have not seen theirs, but according to my understanding and the constitution, as a minister, you cannot use office hours to do any other job.”
Okraku Mantey’s comments come amid broader discussions about the relationship between media professionals and politics in Ghana.
He reflected on the shifting landscape of media neutrality, saying, “to my people who have taken the positions, congratulations to all of them. I tell my NPP people that when they were bashing us, I kept telling them that the media today is not as neutral as it makes us feel. You see, media people are taking positions. But when they were on, they said they were neutral.”
He cited the example of Honorable Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, who, before entering politics, left Joy FM and focused on private business for years before re-emerging in the political arena.
Okraku stressed “Yes, I know somebody will say Honorable Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, but he left Joy FM years ago, stayed at home, did his private business before he showed his face in politics. But today, you see people just leave media houses and take positions. It’s a topic for another time”.
Source :www.kumasimail.com : Kwadwo Owusu
