The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has slammed MP for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea, for encouraging voters “to hand over Ghana to an economist and not a journalist.”

The MP made the comments on a campaign platform, eliciting criticisms from some journalists who think the statement was an attack on journalists.

During the media dialogue on Defending Media Freedom, which Joy News and CDD-Ghana organised last week, the GJA President refuted Mr. Atta Akyea’s claim that journalists lack expertise, calling it misinformation and discriminatory.

He further stated, “This stereotype overlooks the varied academic and professional backgrounds of journalists, many of whom possess advanced degrees and hold prestigious positions.”

The GJA President then gave examples of journalists and writers who went on to become presidents.

“Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, was a renowned journalist whose visionary leadership shaped our nation’s economy. Other notable journalists have successfully held public office, demonstrating their capabilities.

Even our current President Nana Akufo-Addo at a point in time, was the Publisher of the Statesman Newspaper so he can be considered as a media professional. Going by the argument of Mr Atta Akyea, are we saying that President Akufo-Addo has not performed well or discharged his duty effectively?” he said

“Furthermore, we find it intriguing that Mr. Atta Akyea implies that only economists can lead Ghana effectively.

However, since the Fourth Republic, Ghana has had several presidents who are not economists, aside from Professor Evans Atta Mills. Did their lack of economic background render them ineffective? Absolutely not.

….In fact, Ghana’s progress under these leaders disproves Mr. Atta Akyea’s assertion. Presidents Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, John Dramani Mahama, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo have all contributed significantly to Ghana’s development, despite not being economists,” Mr Dwumfour added

Mr Dwumfour used the occasion to demand an apology and retraction from Mr. Atta A

“He must also acknowledge journalists’ diverse expertise and capabilities, as well as the critical role journalists play in promoting democracy.

…I therefore condemn Mr. Atta Akyea’s comments in no uncertain terms. We affirm journalists’ potential to hold public office and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s development.