African journalists could play such an important role in bringing the peoples and nations of the continent closer together - if they had the freedom to do so continent-wide.
Clearly, that task is one that will have to be carried out by the media professionals amongst them, who are: honest; principled; ethical and pro-African oriented in their journalism practice.
Alas, the dishonest ones amongst the continent's journalists, invariably work for corrupt African politicians, to whom they sell their conscience - and for whom they act as guard-dogs and attack-dogs. Literally!
It is in the light of that vital role journalists can play in Africa and benefits that can redound to African democracy as a result, that I could not help feeling sad, when I read an editorial by what is supposed to be one of Ghana's leading privately-owned newspapers, the Statesman, meant to commemorate African Union (AU) day, entitled: "Ghana's sinking image and relevance in African leadership".
Unfortunately, that diatribe-filled editorial, meant to focus the minds of its readers on the continental unity project, on this auspicious day, turned out to be yet another of its many badly-written propaganda pieces - full of the dissimulation and unfair comment it has become so notorious for, amongst discerning and independent-minded Ghanaians: who so desperately long for responsible, fair and balanced newspapers to read, in their country.
I felt sad, because of the smug spoilt-brat antics of this newspaper equivalent, of a child lucky to have been born with a golden spoon in its mouth, and which, despite all the advantages of its privileged background, has unfortunately grown into young adulthood, emerging as a conceited diletante - who, sadly, does not realise that his privileged background, makes it imperative that he constantly gives back to the unequal and unfair society, in which he leads his insouciant existence.
It is time the spoilt brats amongst those who write for the Statesman, understood clearly (as they appear to be so oblivious of the fact!), that whiles they indulge in their narcissism, tens of millions of their fellow citizens have to struggle to survive daily - simply because they were born on the wrong side of the tracks.
Given the background of those investors whose hard work guarantee their salaries, it is time they grew up and gave up the endless propaganda, and turned the Statesman into a balanced and authoritative voice of moderation in Ghanaian society; a force for good in our nation: and made sure that common decency underpins everything that appears in its columns.
On African Union Day, it is unfortunate that the Statesman chose to pen an editorial full of disparaging (and completely undeserved!) remarks belittling the considerable achievements of President Mills, in a Ghana that is still (despite their attempt to make the world believe the contrary!), regarded globally as a beacon of peace, stability and good governance, in the Africa of today.
Such meanness and pettiness, is unworthy of a newspaper owned by hard-working individuals,
who are nation-builders par excellence - and are all diligently contributing their quota, to our homeland Ghana's development (and the rest of Africa's too!), in the financial services sector of our national economy.
Why does the Statesman not take a cue from their positive outlook on life and creativity in business, I ask, dear reader - and set the same example in the Ghanaian media world?
The owners of the Statesman, and Ghana's many discerning and independent-minded citizens, certainly do not deserve such disservice from an entity subsidised by decent and upright individuals - who all want nothing but the best for Mother Ghana.
With respect, this apology of a newspaper, has thus far been unfair to its hard-working and brilliant owners, who have sank substantial sums of their hard-earned cash in the Statesman.
For, in calculating, correctly, that an innovative and fleet-footed privately-owned Ghanaian newspaper, could, if sufficiently well-resourced, occupy a niche - and give the industry leader, the Daily Graphic, a run for its money: and in the process, give them a decent return on their investment - they were clearly hoping that a private-sector media entity would contribute positively to the creation of a serious, hard-working and stable society in Ghana, which also knows how to play hard having wholesome fun.
Those who run the Statesman, have failed miserably to do so for them and for Ghana, on that score.
When it changed hands, the Statesman had all the opportunity in the world to re-make itself, and evolve into a newspaper that many in society could point to, as an example, to other newspapers in our nation - by raising the bar for media practice excellence, in terms of responsible and ethical journalism, for the rest of the industry to aspire to, and aim to reach, eventually.
They must stop being so tone-deaf, and change their tune - for given all the advantages it had at its "rebirth", and still has, the reading public in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa, certainly deserve better than they got from the Statesman, on this auspicious day, which has been set aside to celebrate Africa Union Day. They must change for the better, henceforth! A word to the wise...
Tel (powered by Tigo - the one mobile phone network on Ghana that actually works!): + 233 (0) 27 745 3109.
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