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The President, John Dramani Mahama, has urged the media to partner government in its development agenda, saying the media has the power to articulate government�s programmes. President Mahama said this when he made a surprise appearance at a press soiree in Accra organised to interact with Mr Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Information and Media Relations. He said with his background in the field of communication, he appreciated the importance of the media in the country's development, adding that his �government regards journalists as partners in the nation's developmental agenda.� The President noted that the country could be facing some difficult times, adding that not all decisions taken by government may be pleasant but it was important to always look at the broader national interest. He said it was in the light of this that the media should help explain issues to the people, adding that "we hope for a good partnership with the media, in pursuit of the national agenda." The President said it was important for the media to get public servants to sit up and to ensure that they operate efficiently to provide the people want they expect. Mr Ayariga, on his part, said he would reach out much more frequently to the media and pursue an open-door policy that would encourage free flow of credible information, and expressed the hope that �this would promote greater understanding between the media and my ministry and ensure that we work together as partners." The Minister was excited that Ghana ranked 30th on the world press freedom index, ahead of even developed democracies such as the U.S. and France. Mr Ayariga said: �As a country, we all need to pat ourselves on the back on this achievement and work hard to make it even better," and urged media practitioners to place great premium on responsibility and truth to the people. The Minister said the issue of the Media Development Fund remained high on the government's agenda and "through collaboration with the National Media Commission (NMC) and other stakeholders, we hope to formulate policies on how to operate such a fund". He also said his ministry would work with the NMC and other stakeholders to bring about the urgency required for the early passage of the Freedom of Information Law and Broadcasting Law. He said as Minister of Information, he would work closely with the NMC and media practitioners to create a healthy working environment for the media through respect for press freedom and free expression. He, however, noted that government believed that circumspection and decorum should not be thrown to the wind.