Upper East GJA Awards: Go beyond headlines and demand accountability – Dr. Apaak to journalists

Deputy Minister for Education and Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has urged journalists to move beyond breaking news by following up on issues and demanding accountability.

Speaking at the 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards as Special Guest of Honour, Dr Apaak said journalists must ensure that important public-interest stories remain in the spotlight until there is evidence of action or resolution.

The ceremony was held under the theme, “Beyond the Headlines: The Media’s Role in Promoting WASH for Safe Motherhood and Quality Healthcare.”

Dr Apaak said journalism should not only tell the public what has happened but should also explain why it happened, who is affected, who is responsible and what evidence supports the information being reported.

“A story that stops at the headline is a story half told. That is the challenge I want to leave with you tonight,” he said.

He used challenges with water, sanitation and hygiene in healthcare facilities to illustrate the importance of follow-up journalism.

According to him, reporting that a health facility has no water should lead to further questions about how long the problem has existed, how health workers are coping and what authorities are doing to address it.

He said journalists must return to the facility after authorities announce an intervention to determine whether the promised solution has actually been implemented.

“If a borehole repair, a new toilet, or reliable water for a maternity ward was promised, go back. Is it working? Was it built? Is water flowing?” Dr Apaak asked.

He explained that such follow-up does not amount to attacking public officials but helps establish whether commitments made to citizens have been fulfilled.

The Deputy Education Minister also urged journalists to place greater emphasis on evidence when reporting on public projects and healthcare.

He encouraged them to examine budgets, audit reports, health statistics and facility records to establish the accuracy of claims made by public officials and other sources.

“If we are told a project is complete, go and see it. If public money was spent, seek the records,” he said.

Dr Apaak also called on journalists to maintain the human element in their reporting, particularly when covering maternal health.

He said behind every maternal death is a family that loses a mother, daughter or sister, stressing that people affected by poor healthcare services should not be reduced to statistics.

He further highlighted the role of radio and other media platforms in educating communities about antenatal care, sanitation, healthcare and citizens’ engagement with public institutions.

“A well-researched ten-minute radio discussion can reach thousands who will never read a policy document. That, too, is education,” he said.

Dr Apaak, however, cautioned journalists to protect the credibility of the profession by verifying claims, giving people an opportunity to respond to allegations and correcting errors when they occur.

He also appealed to media owners and managers to provide journalists with the necessary resources, including time, transport, access to information and editorial support, to undertake quality investigative and development journalism.

He urged public institutions to cooperate with journalists and provide answers to legitimate questions from the media.

Dr Apaak said asking why a healthcare facility lacks water or why a public project has stalled should not automatically be interpreted as an attack on officials.

He encouraged journalists to remain committed to public-interest journalism and continue following issues affecting communities across the Upper East Region.

“Follow the promise, follow the money, follow the people affected — and when something changes because of your reporting, go back and tell that story too,” he said.

He further congratulated the GJA Upper East Regional leadership, nominees and award winners, and urged journalists to see recognition as an added responsibility to maintain integrity, curiosity and consistency in their work.