President Nana Akufo-Addo has some advice for journalists on the continent. He wants journalists in Africa to lead the campaign to change the narrative about the continent. They have to reflect its pressing challenges and success stories.
President Nana Addo made the appeal at the 2017 Africa Business Media Innovators (ABMI) summit.
The summit is happening in Accra for the first time. The theme is “The Changing Face of Media and New Hybrid Models”.
Different Narrative
He made statements about the journalists Journalists on the continent, he said,
“have a duty to help change the image about Africa, and establish a narrative, which is more positive. The externally generated story of Africa might be hard to take. However, so long as there is widespread poverty and inequality, that will be the image portrayed. This means that you, our writers, our journalists from the continent, the writers of the African story, carry a great responsibility. When you write, what you write must be about the limitless possibilities on the continent. What is written about Africa by African writers must have the ultimate reference status.”
New Africa
The President said a new Africa is emerging that is strengthening the determination of Africans to build a new African civilization. This is governed by the rule of law, respect for individual liberties and human rights, and the principles of democratic accountability.
“It is not enough to hold successful elections every four years or to be able to criticize the government and to have a choice of 100 radio stations. The biggest challenge that we continue to face is widespread poverty and, until we eradicate widespread poverty, Africa cannot really join the international comity of nations on an equal basis,” he said.
Furthermore, he adds: “The media has always been a critical feature of the political, financial and business architecture of Africa. The time has come for us to harness the full potential of the media, keep it up to pace with technological changes, so it helps define, and, at the same time, contribute to the sustainable development of the African continent.”
Nana Addo with Host Matthew Winkler
The Summit
Senior executives, entrepreneurs and thought-leaders from media, tech, business and civil society are taking part in the summit. It is under the auspices of the Bloomberg Philanthropies in partnership with the Ford Foundation.
The hosts are Matthew Winker, Co-Founder of Bloomberg News and Editor Emeritus, and Justin B. Smith, CEO of Bloomberg Media. They will examine the many new trends and approaches in the wider communications sector. These range from revenue models to content creation and distribution.
The forum is for media companies to share strategies and navigate the changes happening. Also, the companies are also to devise efforts to impact inclusive and sustainable economic growth on the continent.