Wereko-Brobby denies accusation

THE leader of the United Ghana Movement (UGM) and Governmental Adviser on Energy, Dr. Charles Yves Wereko Brobby, has said his disagreement with evidence provided by some journalists on the Sahara issue should not be misconstrued to suggest that he is against all practitioners of the profession.

He said as much as he acknowledges the competence of Ghanaian journalists, he also has the singular right to draw their attention to issues which had not been properly handled or distorted by some of them in their reportage.

Dr Wereko-Brobby, who said this in an interview in reaction to calls on him by the media and some political opponents of the ruling government to render an apology to Ghanaian journalists explained that the oil industry is a technical or specialised area which needs proper understanding and appreciation by journalists.

He said attempts by some journalists to over-simplify or generalise some technical aspects associated with the industry have often led to conclusions which are not logical and also fly in the face of the situation on the ground.

The Energy Adviser said while not playing down the brilliance and intelligence of journalists , he strongly believes that they must painstakingly research into such areas such as the oil industry, in order to gather palpable evidence of malfeasance or corruption against members of government whenever they occur.

He said it would be ironical for some personalities to describe his recent observations media coverage of the Sahara issue as an attempt to cow journalists into submission, since he is one person who has been in the forefront of the struggle to liberalise the airwaves since 1992.”

“ I earned my present nickname, Tarzan, from the previous government when I attempted to establish Radio Eye, for which my equipment was seized and my company dragged before the court. How on earth would I orchestrate any action to snuff out the flame we assisted to light some years back to promote media pluralism in the country?” he questioned.

The UGM leader described himself as one person who is more tolerant and accommodating to journalists than a host of other politicians and added that his discourse with them before the last general elections are clear manifestations.

The principles of criticisms and self-criticisms are a two-way affair, he said, stressing that while the government wants the media to point out its shortcomings and weaknesses, the media should also welcome government’s admonition on its performance.

“ We all err in one way or the other, and for that matter, we must cultivate the habit of accepting our shortcomings in good faith and not be emotional about them,” Dr Wereko-Brobby said.