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Journalists reminded of crucial role in Election 2020
The National Media Commission (NMC) has urged journalists not to forget the crucial role they play to ensure free and fair general election, on December 7.
According to the NMC, in reporting on elections, journalists would be expected to serve as the guardian and voice of the people.
Speaking at a Media Convention in Kumasi, the NMC’s Chairman, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo reminded journalists of the NMC’s guidelines for political reporting which demanded that media practitioners published truthful, unbiased information.
He said the journalist had the obligation to promote good faith toward political parties, presidential and parliamentary candidates and electoral process and help strengthen democracy.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafo asked journalists to inform voters about competing parties, candidates, campaign issues and arrangements involving electoral processes.
He stressed that the media should provide the public with information that would enable the electorate to make intelligent decisions during the elections.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafo asked journalists not be subordinated and consider themselves as shadows of others.
He said the “moment they do that, they lose their essence, they must be committed and objective by ensuring what they publish is factual, accurate and verifiable toward credibility which must be treasured”.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafo noted that of all the primary groupings, “it is only the media that is mandated by the constitution to hold government accountable to the people. By failing to do that means we will be reneging on our responsibilities and obligations”.
He said “when we criticise the government, it is our responsibility and obligation imposed on us, but the only caveat is to do so with objectivity and not for partisanship”.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafo noted that as gatekeepers, journalists could not be passive, but should maintain credibility through meticulous attention and accuracy.
He urged journalists to be independent and take full responsibility for whatever they reported on or published.
Mr Boadu-Ayeboafo asked journalists not to allow personal interest to cloud their professional judgment, and reminded them of the GJA code of ethics that enjoins members to respect among others the right of people to information and respect for privacy and human dignity.
Nana Owusu Nyanin, chief of Kwamo, called on journalists to promote peace and national development.
He also asked traditional rulers to ensure peace during the elections, saying “Ghana is a beautiful country and we have a collective responsibility to preserve the beauty of our country”.
Nana Owusu Nyanin commended the GJA and US Embassy for organising the event to enable journalists to provide excellent reportage during the election.
Ashanti Regional Director of the EC, Emmanuel Bano-Bio, called on journalists to be unbiased, neutral and truthful in the discharge of their role.
Vice President of the GJA, Mrs Linda Asante Agyei, cautioned journalist against reckless reportage as well and urged politicians to refrain from careless statements.
The ‘Media Convention 2020″, is a United States Embassy sponsored project, being executed by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA),
Under the theme, “The 2020 election: Role of the media in promoting civility and discernment in the political discourse”.
The event brought together representatives of political parties, security agencies, Electoral Commission and media institutions, to discuss media coverage of Election 2020.
Source: Ghanaian Times
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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