NDC’s Beatrice Annan Sounds Alarm Over Alleged Meeting Between Samira Bawumia and Top Journalists The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised concerns over an alleged meeting between the Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, and selected senior journalists in Accra. Beatrice Annan, the Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC, expressed alarm at the meeting, claiming it could compromise the integrity and impartiality of the media. According to Annan, the meeting was organized by a government official and attended by various journalists from different media outlets. She alleged that the purpose of the meeting was to influence the journalists’ coverage of the government and to silence dissenting voices. “We are deeply concerned about this alleged meeting. It undermines the independence and credibility of the media,” Annan said. “The media plays a critical role in holding power accountable, and any attempt to compromise their integrity must be condemned.” Annan further stated that the NDC had no evidence to support the allegations but called on the media to investigate the matter thoroughly. She urged journalists to maintain their independence and to resist any attempts to manipulate their coverage. “The media is the fourth estate of the realm and plays a vital role in our democracy. We must not allow it to be compromised,” Annan added. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has yet to comment on the allegations, but a source within the association expressed concern about the potential impact on media freedom in the country. The source urged all stakeholders to respect the independence of the media and to refrain from any actions that could undermine its credibility. The alleged meeting between Samira Bawumia and top journalists has sparked a debate about the role of the media in a democratic society. Some critics have accused the government of trying to muzzle the press, while others have urged journalists to exercise caution and to avoid any appearance of bias.Beatrice Annan, a spokesperson for John Dramani Mahama’s campaign team, has alleged that certain prominent female broadcasters met with Samira Bawumia, the wife of NPP flagbearer, at a well-known Accra hotel.Beatrice Annan, a spokesperson for John Dramani Mahama’s campaign team, has alleged that certain prominent female broadcasters met with Samira Bawumia, the wife of NPP flagbearer, at a well-known Accra hotel. Annan’s allegations, made in a series of posts on her Facebook page, suggest that these media professionals received financial incentives and were influenced to favor Bawumia’s candidacy. While Annan praised many Ghanaian journalists for their fair and professional reporting, she also expressed concern about the alleged meeting between Samira Bawumia and a select few individuals. She believes that such actions compromise journalistic objectivity and undermine society’s greater good. Annan also revealed that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) intends to engage with journalists to seek proposals for improving the working environment and safeguarding press freedom. She noted Ghana’s declining performance on the press freedom index since 2018, emphasizing that this issue requires attention and collective action.National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Akwatia Constituency, Beatrice Bernice Boateng, has expressed concern over an alleged meeting between Samira Bawumia, wife of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and some top journalists in the country. According to the NDC MP, she received information that the meeting, which was held on June 8, 2023, at the residence of the Vice President, was aimed at influencing the journalists to present the government in a positive light. She alleged that the meeting was part of a grand scheme by the government to silence critical media and control the narrative ahead of the 2024 general elections. Boateng further claimed that the journalists who attended the meeting were offered various incentives, including financial rewards and opportunities for overseas trips, in exchange for their cooperation. She called on the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and other media regulatory bodies to investigate the matter thoroughly and take appropriate disciplinary action against any journalists found to have compromised their integrity. However, Samira Bawumia and the journalists involved have denied the allegations, describing them as “baseless and malicious.” They have threatened to take legal action against Boateng if she fails to provide concrete evidence to support her claims. The GJA has also stated that it has received no formal complaint regarding the alleged meeting and will not hesitate to investigate any credible allegations of ethical misconduct by journalists.