The Electoral Commission (EC) is welcoming objective and constructive criticism ahead of the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

Mrs. Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the EC, emphasised the Commission's openness to public scrutiny and constructive criticism as the nation approaches a pivotal election in 2024.

She underscored the importance of conducting such assessments with objectivity and honesty to safeguard national peace, security, and democracy.

Addressing members of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) during the 27th GJA Awards at the Accra International Conference Centre, Mrs Mensa spoke on the theme: “Leveraging Media Freedom to Sustain the Democratic and Security Architecture: The Litmus Test of Election 2024”.

She highlighted the critical significance of the 2024 Election, stressing its potential to either strengthen or jeopardise peace and security.

The former chairperson of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) thus called for a united effort in prioritizing the nation's interests, transcending political divides for the collective benefit of Ghana.

She urged the media to master the delicate balance required to protect Ghana’s democracy, peace, and harmony, emphasizing that the 2024 Election is a test of the nation’s resilience.

Mrs Mensa underscored the influential role of journalists in either positively or negatively impacting the nation and urged them to uphold the truth at all times. She emphasized the need for responsible journalism, recognizing the pioneering role of the media in shaping the nation’s democracy.

However, she criticized some media outlets for disseminating propaganda, spreading falsehoods, and promoting misinformation, which has contributed to political polarization among citizens. She called on the media to promote transparency, truth, and accuracy in their reporting.

Mrs Mensa acknowledged the media's role as the bedrock of democracy, guardians of transparency, and catalysts for informing public debate. She called on the National Media Commission to enforce strict adherence to media ethics and set standards to uphold truth and respect and to hold accountable those who violate regulations.

She encouraged citizens to be discerning and to always seek the truth from the media, emphasizing the unmatched power of responsible journalism.

In total, 34 awards were presented to journalists and media organizations for outstanding reporting and exceptional work.

Mr Erasmus Asare Donkor, a Broadcast Journalist with Multimedia Group, was honoured as the Journalist of the Year.