The Communications and Media Studies Students’ Association of Ghana (COMSSA) has marked its 2025 annual festival with a seminar on the theme “The Role of Communication in Deepening Our Democracy” at the University of Education, Winneba.
The event brought together lecturers, media professionals, policymakers, and students to reflect on how effective communication can strengthen democratic governance.
Delivering the keynote, legal practitioner and media personality Samson Lardy Anyenini warned that Ghana’s democracy has been hijacked by the dominance of the NDC and NPP.
“Democracy is not the property of political elites; it is our collective inheritance,” he said.
He emphasized the role of communication in exposing corruption, citing the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report which revealed losses of GHC 18.41 billion through financial irregularities. He argued that much of the amount could be recovered with proper accountability.
“Corruption is bleeding our nation, robbing us of schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. We cannot afford to be silent,” he stressed.
Anyenini also challenged the media to stop moving from one scandal to another without follow-up.
“Communication must ensure sustained accountability, not flash-in-the-pan commentary. We must keep issues alive until justice prevails,” he urged.
In his remarks, Professor Albert Wornyo, Dean of the School of Communication and Media Studies, called for responsible journalism in Ghana’s polarized political environment.
“Knowledge is the first step to responsible communication. Let us check facts, seek truth, and ensure what we put out strengthens democracy,” he said.
Discussions centered on the media’s duty to promote good governance, the importance of ethical journalism, and the responsibility of citizens to engage with democratic processes.
The seminar ended with a call on media practitioners and students to uphold integrity and innovation in their work to safeguard Ghana’s democracy.
