Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), Dr Kojo Asante says the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to limit media access to the collation centres during the upcoming elections is worrying.

The EC has announced that it will grant limited media accreditation, allowing access only to television and radio stations at the collation centres, while excluding newspapers and online news portals.

In an interview on Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Wednesday, November 27, Dr Kojo Asante expressed concern that the EC’s decision to limit the access of accredited media to the collation centres could be counterproductive to the goal of promoting transparency.

He said that he is confident the EC has consulted with the media outlets they intend to work with in order to ensure transparency in the election process.

“I don’t think they would have come to this proposal without some level of consideration, as I’m sure there are always restrictions based on space and the stakeholders to be accommodated—after all, everyone involved is important,” he added.

Dr Asante also emphasised the growing influence of social media, noting that people now consume more information online than through traditional media.

"It’s so significant that you might think bloggers aren’t important, but online media outlets are where people are consuming the most information,” he said.

He suggested that the EC should re-engage with the media on this issue to address potential concerns regarding transparency.

Dr Asante further highlighted the crucial role of the media in disseminating accurate information to the public.

“If you really want an accurate account of what has happened and to reach as many people as possible, the GNA (Ghana News Agency) is an important source. When you think about misinformation and the trusted sources you rely on to carry the news, you cannot exclude the GNA, nor can you exclude Graphic because people turn to these outlets when they need confirmation,” he commented.

He reiterated that the EC, in consultation with the media, should consider all perspectives to ensure their decision-making process avoids public discontent.