On Thursday, May 8, 2025, members of the Oti Media Alliance paid a courtesy call on the newly appointed Oti Regional Minister, Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong, at the Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC) office. The visit was to officially congratulate him on his appointment and to explore ways to strengthen collaboration between the media and the Regional Administration.
During the meeting, the Alliance expressed its desire to build a stronger relationship with the Minister, inspired by past engagements with his predecessors. They assured him of their commitment to using their platforms to project his leadership and initiatives in a positive light, in line with the governmentβs national resetting agenda. The group emphasized the critical role of the media in shaping public discourse and pledged to support efforts that position Oti Region more prominently in national conversations. Read More
The media team proposed several areas of collaboration, including improved access to information from the Regional Coordinating Council, proactive sharing of the Ministerβs itinerary to support accurate reporting, and efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation related to government work. They also called for more frequent engagement with the media to raise the profile of the region and suggested partnering with the RCC to provide training and capacity-building opportunities for journalists, especially in light of the limited presence of the Ghana Journalists Association in Oti.
Hon. Gyapong welcomed the visit and commended the Alliance for taking the initiative to reach out. He agreed that transparency and media visibility were crucial to effective governance and instructed his Public Relations Officer to begin sharing his weekly itinerary with the Alliance to enhance information flow and public accountability. However, he also raised concerns about the high cost of media coverage in the region, noting that limited budgetary allocations often made consistent engagement a challenge. He mentioned that some media personnel had previously expressed frustration over delayed allowances following RCC assignments, and he urged for more strategic media relations that balance transparency with responsible reporting.
The Minister also shared his vision for development in the region, including plans to explore mineral deposits and water bodies for potential economic use, and the establishment of a cassava processing factory as part of efforts to drive local industrialization. He emphasized that these initiatives were part of his broader commitment to supporting the national development agenda and creating sustainable jobs for the people of Oti.
In closing, Hon. Gyapong expressed his willingness to work closely with the media and encouraged the Alliance to continue playing a constructive role in regional development. He reiterated his belief that with collaboration, honesty, and mutual respect, the media can serve as a powerful ally in advancing the goals of the region.
The meeting ended on a positive note, setting the stage for stronger cooperation between the Oti Regional Coordinating Council and the media community, with a shared vision of promoting good governance, development, and accountability.
