Be courageous and intrusive – BoG boss to journalists

Financial Journalists would have to be more intrusive in their quest for knowledge and must be prepared to help unearth issues through responsible journalism, Dr Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, has said.

He further called on journalists to be bold to face the challenges in the years ahead.

In a statement read on his behalf by Philip Abradu-Otoo, the Director of the Research Department at the BoG, at a workshop for members of the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) in Koforidua over the weekend, Dr Addison said : “To further consolidate the gains made within the banking sector as a result of the reforms and recapitalisation of the banking sector, the Bank of Ghana in May, 2019, embarked on an exercise to also sanitize the microfinance and savings and loans sectors.

“The media was once again instrumental in the successful implementation of the reforms within the financial sector by providing the medium through which the Bank of Ghana informed the public about events and policy actions. We acknowledge your positive contributions in this process as well.”

Going forward, he said : “I believe strongly that Financial Journalists would have to be more intrusive in their quest for knowledge and must be prepared to help unearth issues through Responsible Journalism. “By this process, the country should be able to tackle and help address, head-on, some of the actions that need to be taken to ensure financial stability.

“It is clear at this stage that a strong link exits between the role of financial journalists and sustenance of financial stability. The years ahead will be challenging, and I entreat you all to muster courage in the discharge of your duties.

“You represent the 4th Estate of the Republic and we expect nothing from you but more diligence and sustained hard work.”