Picture of the writer
By: Lawson Edem Morttey
The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. (EDWARD L. BERNAYS, 1928)
It dawns upon every citizen of this country old or young how political messaging has evolved in their lifetime for better or worse. Attaining the status of self-rule in
1957 saw the construction of a bonafide state and its governing structures. Yet, a blip of totalitarian rule came of age in the late mid twentieth century until a constitutional republic was adopted in the final stretch of the twentieth century.
Throughout this period, crawling its way into the mainstream is the use of political appointees in public agencies to engage in subtle misinformation strategy to shape public opinion aimed to softly but essentially eliminate political opposition within.
Disinformation strategy
Patently short of abuse of incumbency, major public agencies are weaponised to scorch what and whoever ruling parties perceive to be an existential threat to their continuous grip on power.
Unlike disgruntled authoritarians who held a cudgel against political opponents as witnessed in the turbulent period in post Nkrumah era, the emergence of disinformation strategy in political messaging through legitimate public agencies sum up popular meaning of third world politics and standard.
Despite the facade some partisan career elements in public agencies continue to pull, it comes as no surprise that their interests and public demeanor are masked subconsciously by the reluctance to find comfort in a political theory espoused by
John Locke which says human nature allowed people to be selfish.
To ensure continuity and improving their fortunes in public service, they ought to become agents of modern misinformation campaign together with political appointees in government.
Role of the media
One cannot look the other way when the fourth estate has completely given up on the essential role it was designed to play in our ever shaky democratic dispensation. However deeply uncomfortable it may be for a section of the
Ghanaian public about the prospects of the media landscape been controlled by elite political entrepreneurs; the sheer and blatant ownership of media outlets by these elite group of political entrepreneurs to press home their political agenda have become an unspoken truth which has contributed to the observations laid out below.
In the absence of casting aspersions on the media, an inference could also be drawn that the Ghanaian media, light on substance and heavy on the spectacle of partizan displays has failed to frame a debate which speaks to the conscience of the nation. On multiple occasions, media outlets have provided space to whoever avail themselves to spew free range alarmist predictions and assertions; although their credibility hangs by a thread. Not to mention, the fourth estate has failed to be the voice of reason, speak sanity to power and take to task public agencies treading a wrong trajectory in terms of over politicization of their work.
The fact remains, the public is viewed through a credulous lens by the media and public agencies.
The theory; a tendency to trust easily gives way to a certain vulnerability by
Angelica Hopes have given birth to a modus operandi for which an assault of misinformation on the public by career professionals in public agencies is carried out together with their allies within the elite media circles.
Uphold the truth
To this day, we ask, are we at a consequential point in our history and existence as a nation to reevaluate media ownership in this country? Where are the people concerned about ethics in government? Must all public agencies in Ghana be politicised beyond a point of recognition, especially between those with good intentions and the bad hombres that continue to dissuade healthy public discussion? What does the future hold if public agencies are weaponized to burn down the opposition party? Will history judge us favourably or with a shrug of dismissal as we watch idly on and become completely unfazed by this abuse?
To address these questions lie at its root, service to the nation and an oath to uphold the truth. But an intentional effort of dishonesty, deliberate attempts by partisan heads of public agencies to present half-truths to bend public opinion aimed to maintain their grip on political power will never allow key solutions to these questions see the light of day. Therefore continues the wallowing in the privileges of political power.
In this era, one can only agree that the point of modern propaganda isn’t only to misinform or push an agenda. It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth as said by Garry Kasparov.
Head of public agencies across the nation ought to carry out selfless duty with the interest of the country at heart. To the next public agency employee, you owe it to the nation to appeal to our good conscience; and this is only possible when the country is put first before political gamesmanship.
