Humanise policy, says Bernard Otabil

In a call to humanize monetary policy, Bernard Otabil, Director of Communications at the Bank of Ghana, addressed the Bank of Ghana Press Corps during a three-day training workshop. The workshop, held from October 19th to 21st, 2026, aimed to build a well-informed media and educate journalists on key areas such as ethical reporting, the Bank's mandate, and understanding the Central Bank balance sheet.

Otabil emphasized that monetary policy effectiveness hinges on understanding, trust, and accurate communication. He stressed that, while the public might not read MPC reports, they do read headlines and listen to reports when making economic decisions. In finance, he warned, words can move markets, and misleading headlines on inflation, exchange rates, or the policy rate can create panic, foster speculation, and harm households and businesses.

Otabil highlighted the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation, which the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report has recently termed among the most severe global risks. He stressed that credibility has become journalism's most valuable asset, as ethically grounded reporting protects savings, safeguards economic stability, and helps Ghanaians make informed choices.

Otabil reiterated the Bank's commitment to strengthening its partnership with the media and urged participants to actively engage, ask questions, and challenge the Bank's assertions to ensure a productive workshop.