The Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital Equity Fund, Sam Jonah, has voiced his dismay over the lack of accountability in safeguarding the public purse, describing it as "pathetic."

He made these remarks during the launch of the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

As the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Jonah criticised what he perceived as the weaponisation of state agencies against opponents and the encroachment on freedom of the press.

He stressed the importance of fearless journalism in defending the country's democracy and confronting critical issues affecting its governance system.

Mr Jonah urged Ghanaian journalists to be proactive and resolute in their efforts to defend democratic principles, highlighting the vital role they play in holding the government accountable and ensuring transparency in governance.

He stressed that without passionate and fearless journalism, Ghana's democracy would continue to face challenges.

Addressing the audience, Mr Jonah expressed his belief that journalists should act as watchdogs of society, ensuring that the government remains accountable to the people it serves.

He called for a collective effort to address the issues plaguing Ghana's democratic institutions, urging journalists to remain steadfast in their pursuit of truth and justice.

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“The perceived weaponisation of state agencies against opponents, the creeping assault on freedom of the press, the perceived lack of trust in the dispensation of justice, and the pathetic lack of accountability in the protection of the public purse, this is the time for patriots to find their voices. This is the time to be fearless and courageous. We cannot and must not compromise on our defence of the national interest.

“The success of our attempt at a democratic order will depend crucially on how free the press is. In the words of Walter Cronkite, a widely respected American journalist, ‘freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy!’”