Gov't must separate propaganda from truth - Lecturer

A Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Alidu Seidu has advised government’s communication team to distinguish between propaganda and truth in its attempt to relay information to Ghanaians.

Information Minister, Mahama Ayariga has admitted misinforming the public about President John Mahama’s relationship with a gay right activist, Andrew Solomon.

Mr. Ayariga had earlier denied any relationship between President Mahama and Andrew Solomon in the wake of public outrage over the nomination of Nana Oye Lithur as Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

But Dr. Seidu has stated that such inconsistencies do not help government’s public image

“What has happened in the early days shows that he is still going to experience some of these problems…government information or communication department should always research very well into information that they speak to the general public.”

According to him, the Information Minister should have done a lot of background search, consulted with the President and the people who matter in the issue before relaying the information to Ghanaians.

Dr. Seidu added that it is important to dissociate propaganda from the truth although it is part of the governance process but “they should be able to use propaganda as a tool of governance but also speak true to the people when the need arises.”