"My problem with Electoral Commission is that I think it's shameful that you'll charge the media to cover the elections. We're not a very sincere people. We would like to cover things up," Multiple award-winning host of Peace FM's flagship programme 'Kokrokoo' turned the heat on the Electoral Commission (EC) over the Commission's charges for accreditation for media practitioners in the country.
The EC asked the various and interested media houses that seek to cover the 2016 Elections to pay money before they receive accreditations to give field reports on the elections.
Each media house is required to meet the financial charges by the Commission or forfeit its election coverage.
Responding to the EC's order, Mr. Sefa Kayi, affectionately called "Chairman General" for his unmatched broadcast acuity, lambasted the Commission for being unfair to the media.
He expressed his resentments, saying the EC's decision is "just like State protocol asking journalists to pay money to cover the 6th March Independence anniversary. I don't think it's a very good thing you've done. Sadly, we won't talk about it. We'll push it under the carpet but you're denying journalists the right to report the truth and the situations that happen to people. I don't think it's a smart thing to do. I don't know why as a journalist or as part of the media here, we should pay money..."
Chairman General therefore cautioned the EC stating emphatically that "if we're not careful, we'll end up reporting disaster. Little things like what the Electoral Commission has done to us as journalists is what starts this small (small) things. What is 10 cedis to you from a journalist? What is 20 cedis to you from a journalist? We've done it since 1992. Why are you charging us?
"Because you want us to pay for accreditation, what is accreditation? A piece of paper with our names and lamination and we have to pay for it to cover elections that have to do with the future of this country. I am not very happy as a media person."
Watch video below:
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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I disagree with Kwami Sefa Kayi. He is displaying hypocrisy of the highest order. Does UTV, Peace FM, Neat FM, OK FM, and Hello FM carry EC's adverts for free. Kwami has suddenly grown wings. He has been over pampered. Everybody knows you are NPP, but you are desperately trying to play your cards well so you can "chop" irrespective of which party is in power. Your body language and posture when you were delivering your speech was nothing different from disrespect. Throwing your hands around as if you were talking to your kids. Look at how you addressed the Nima police commander. God is watching us all. We have known you from your secondary school days so do not pretend to a saint. A chain smoker like you.
there is something fishy and cr1minal going on at the EC office. Money employees are sending huge money to overseas to buy expensive cars. With the salary range of civil servants in Ghana, I'm wondering where they're getting all these huge sum of money from. I'm not kidding you. I've friends who are in the business of buying cars for Ghanaians. The business dried up for a while and all of a sudden calls are coming from EC employees buy expensive cars with cash in USA. Where are they getting these money from? They're either magicians or stealing to buy $20k to $40k car at a go. Or they may be getting bribes from politicians to compromise their duties. Somebody, anybody should put his or her ears on the ground to find out what is going on at the EC's office. Where are you Mr. Anas?
Yes, Sefa is on point. EC must know that it is not a private business owned and driven by its chair. All that they have is from the people of Ghana. For whom are they generating this ***barred word*** revenue? Why should journalists pay to play their Constitutional Role? This is thrash. By the way how will the EC enforce this ***barred word*** when a 'non-accredited' journalist broadcasts about the election? Arrest? Bogus.
The next only available and capable ever GJA President! You are indeed a bold leader already made. I love you big bro. I think that Ex - president Rawlins is your only kind.
I disagree with Chairman General, because is shameful for any radio or TV station to charge EC for Advertising their programme for December pools. Whiles criticizing EC for charging you must as well criticize your radio station for charging EC for trying to reach Ghanians on voting matters. Hypocrisy at the highest order. You journalist can charge EC but EC cannot Charge you, noseeeeeeeese.
Chairman you ve said it all, indeed u ve exercise braveness.God bless you
It's quiet funny how some people always jump to defend the indefensible. EC is on a mission and instead of us to correct that erroneous stance others seems every right in what she does. But such is society, we won't all be one minded. But one side needs to supersede the other to win. I don't think the amount charged is the issue but legitimizing the illegitimate is the case.
You know Madam EC Boss, is Madam Lawyer Know-it-All, She see herself very COMPETENT than other EC Boss that Ghana has ever known,and all the staffers it seems, this makes her performance unprecedented, too too poor for even kid to identify lapses. And sadly making a mockery herself and exhibiting highly ignorance. After Elections, if we are not all satisfied with her nuisance, that which happened to the CHRAJ BOSS, can also happen to her, they seems to look alike as far as performance are concerned.
Why do we lose our conscious on a simple issue. James was able to mention his name but the other irresponsible person couldn't. How can we compare FOOT BALL to ELECTION? people bet on foot ball but the election is otherwise. We cannot play game with election which will take us for four years. What you don't know is that Mr. Kayi's hobby is to be criticise him. Kwami well done! Bravo!!!!
Can we have 10 of such journalist in Ghana to fight for the cause of the ordinary. Most of them that started with like minds and been compromised - Kwasi Pratt. SPEAK OUT CHAIRMAN!