We'll deal with critical minds – Koku Anyidoho

The Communications Director at the Presidency, Koku Anyidoho, has stated emphatically that the presidency does not have time for non-critical media organisations and persons.

In a defensive mood to explain why certain media houses were not invited to the president's interaction with senior editors and media owners on Tuesday, he said he has no regret for leaving out some media houses that are considered to be anti-government.

“I used my discretion as the head of communications, I chose the people that I was going to choose, ask me to do it again and I will take the same decision. No regret,” he stressed.

The meeting that was held at the Osu Castle to assess President John Evans Atta Mills' 100 days in office was held without representatives from media organisations like the Ghanaian Observer, the Statesman, the Searchlight and the Independent.

Explaining further, Mr Anyidoho told host of Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, that he did not invite those media organisations based on his own conviction on the need for the government to deal with “very credible and critical voices…[and not] critical voices that just will do it for the sake of it”.

He cited a reference by President Mills on a lead story in Tuesday's edition of the Statesman which claimed he (Mills) traveled to the Eastern Region over the weekend with a 17-vehicle convoy.

He said the story was false because “the president was in Accra throughout the Easter period, and so he did not go to the Eastern Region, let alone use the 17-vehicle convoy.

“You want me to give credibility to such a paper to come and sit down and quiz the president? No way”.

He however noted that the government is willing to accept criticisms from critical voices to shape government programmes and activities.

The Director of Communications said his outfit will partner only “men and women of a certain stature to interact with him (the president)…we will respect and deal with the critical media but in doing that we will deal with critical minds.”

Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline