The proverb, “No one knows where a pair of shoes pinches except the one who wears it”, was manifested by Presidential Press Secretary, Kula Fofana, who confessed to Executive Mansion reporters that she wished to go the extra mile in addressing all of their plights but her office is challenged to do so.
“You all know that when we came to this ministry, we told all of you that it is challenging,” Press Secretary Fofana said.
The press secretary is the president’s mouthpiece, who regularly provides updates on the President’s activities to the public through media platforms.
Few weeks ago, Press Secretary Fofana was an epicenter of discussion on radio, in newspapers, online platforms and so on, for what members of the Executive Mansion reporters and media gurus termed as her lack of cooperation and not savvy to media relations, among others.
On Friday, during the Executive Mansion regular press briefing, held in the premises of the Mansion, the Press Secretary told reporters that her office is challenged in addressing some journalistic needs, but vowed to always make the working environment amicable.
“It’s really challenging in terms of getting the needed resources to support journalists,” Press Secretary Kula said.
Even though journalists assigned at the Executive Mansion are from independent media entities, the Press Secretary was speaking from a goodwill perspective. “I will advocate on your behalf,” Fofana promised.
During her first international trip with President Joseph N. Boakai to the United States of America, Fofana travelled with one reporter from the Mansion, but for South Korea’s trip she said it was challenging in terms of fund allocation.
“We tried and advocated that we must have a member of the press to cover the President at all international visits, and we were successful in getting a reporter that visited the United States [along with the president]. For Korea, too, we did make the case, and even submitted a name of the reporter to go to South Korea. Work was being done on it but at the end of the day it became challenging to fundraise and find resources for that [trip to South Korea]. It became a challenge for us to be able to take a journalist with us,” Kula expressed her frustration.
Despite the challenge she faces to exert her goodwill gesture, Fofana disclosed that she is lobbying for a cordial relationship promotion in terms of addressing some of the reporters’ plight, but noted that the final decision does not lie in her purview.
“Sometimes we have meetings on internal things, and it’s something that I am working on; so, as long as I am here I will be able to support each of you. I can advocate, talk, but the ultimate decision is not with me.” she disclosed.
Meanwhile, Press Secretary Fofana has appealed to reporters to do factual reporting, observing that she was shocked when her name became the crux of the matter in media outlets for what she termed an allegation. In addition, she assured a cordial working amity with reporters assigned at the Executive Mansion.
“And again, please… my point here is that if we intend to report on these things that [are] happening, let’s be factual,” she said.