"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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Let us be. Everybody seems to know better than this woman. Sefa if u were better than her you would have occupy the EC chair by now. Everyone is talking about this woman why? The world matches we watch on tv, is Ghana not participating and yet we have to pay for accreditation. Let us learn and stop the unnecessary noise.
Due to her selfish interests she wants to bring confusion.You have been given money towards this election so why are you collecting money from the media? I don't understand some ppl, why are u insulting Mr kwame sefa kayi?? A noble man who can fly at anytime with his family to any destination is speaking for the needy ones like your type and you are there talking abnormally.My friend if you have nothing better to say just ***barred word*** for those who have wisdom do the talking. EC COME AGAIN BECAUSE THIS ONE DE3 it's a SHAMEFUL ACT
Is that not the same EC who went and prayed for Gods will be done Before, During and after the election? Is this 10 cedis the will of the people? Fire burn you.
Chairman General u have spoken well let those who hv ears hear u are a gift to Ghana. God bless u and God bless Ghana
When we all sit down for the EC to unilaterally change the coat of arms, representing the authority of the office, we were acquiescing to these ***barred word***, unfettered socalled discretional powers by this EC. Check how much state resources hasn't been allocated to this EC to run this election and you would wonder hat these charges will do to its finances. Ghanaians must just woke up and face this bunch of EC Commissioners who even defy the apex court of the land ..SC.. Chairman you are right, journalists must stand up and speak up else very soon, you will be made to pay before you go and see Charlotte Osei at the EC OFFICE! Oh GHANA BE this??? Is it true that a template for the printing of the 2016 presidential ballot papers were given out to a man by the Production Manager at the Innolink Press last night?
So can't anyone go to court on this one or has the court endorsed this. Opposition parties what are you doing? Don't you know it is to your disadvantage?
Thie*f Kwame Sefa Kayi where is the GHC520,000 you collected for the phantom assistance to some selected hospitals? Owifoo GHC10 p3 you are complaining. If you and your ilk think Nana Addo Kapwepwe and the NPP will come to power for your to milk the country like you did during Kromfour Kufour's era then you are living in the fuuuuu00ls paradise. Keep on insulting the president on the one sided program which is gradually losing its popularity. Offuuii like that.
Freedom of speech does not mean we should be rude to people who express their views. What has Kwame said wrong? He is just expressing his dissatisfaction over pressmen paying to take coverage of elections. There is no need to pass a bad comment or be insulting. Be tolerant.
I second what you have said. The press people must be allowed free coverage the elections if the EC has nothing up its sleeve. That is what they did to rig the 2012 elections with limited media coverage. No special voting for pressmen.
@ Chris very disappointed at your comment... how on earth wld ask the media to pay to cover 6th march anniversary.. same applies to the coverage of the elections. Chris knowledge is power so please get knowledge. Chairman your so right and EC is only seeking trouble and nothing else