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Make coup unattractive in reportage …Media told
The United States (US) Ambassador to Ghana, Ms Virginia Palmer has advised the media to make coups unattractive in their reportage as the country gets closer towards its general election.
She said one of the effective means to do so was to target persons who have experienced coups and have been deprived of their rights to tell their own stories.
She was of the view that this would go a long way to discourage others who might be tempted to think that the use of coups was the suitable solution to challenges faced by a country.
Ms Palmer made the comment at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the United States (US) Embassy workshop on ‘Peaceful Journalistic Discourse’ at the International Press Centre for 20 Journalists from the Greater Accra Region.
“When a democratic government fails to live up to expectation, the solution is actually more democracy, not less. We see it in the Sahel where human rights violations by security forces can drive individuals to violent extremism. We also see it where the failure to equitably share economic dividends drives people to seek change” she said.
She observed that coups that install military junta in place of democratically elected governments were the antithesis of democracy because they take power from the people and put it squarely in the hands of a few, usually the military.
“Even when a coup initially has a popular support, it normally takes only a few months and sometimes just a few hours for the people to realise that an authoritarian regime is not the answer to security threats and economic malaise” she said.
The Ambassador said the change that was needed was to share the resources of a country equitably and to structure the economies to ensure that economic prosperity was shared across classes, regions, and sub regions.
She stressed that the solution to corruption was a more democratic governance, more rule of law and more accountability and not less of it.
“Ghana has long been a regional example of stability and democratic success but, as we’ve seen across the region, democracy is under threat and we need to work together to protect it” she told the media.
Ms Palmer noted that, enthusiasm for coups and authoritarianism among the people was often split among age groups.
“Those that remember authoritarian regimes know very well that coups must be avoided at all costs. Young people, on the other hand, without firsthand knowledge of authoritarianism, seems to think coups are the answer to corruption and economic challenges” she said.
She said there was the need for the media to highlight the need for democracy to be upheld as this year was an election year.
She commended the media for their efforts to ensure free and fair election while assuring that the US Embassy would support the sharing of best practices for elections and elections reporting.
She was hopeful that this would be done through a well-educated electorate that is aware of their rights, understand issues and effectively use their voting power in the upcoming elections.
The event which was launched in November last year in Accra had so far taken the workshops to the Volta, Northern and Ashanti regions.
The President for the GJA, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour stated that the theme for the GJA/US Embassy Ghana Project ‘Promoting Peaceful Journalistic Media Platforms ahead of Election 2024’ was appropriate given the tension that invariably characterises the elections in Ghana.
Mr. Dwumfour said the GJA believes that freedom of expression did not only mean allowing people to speak, but also ensuring responsibility, adding that it was important to protect the space for free speech.
The project which brought journalists from various media houses from the Tema, and Accra regions constituted the print, on-line, radio and television.
The aim was to offer among others professional development to Online Editors/Producers/On Air Personalities/Talk Show Hosts.
The GJA/ US Embassy training programme is also to encourage information sharing with Election related entities to better inform the work of the Electoral Commission and related entities with the view to promoting freedom of expression for violent free and credible polls.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
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Prof. Dodoo named ARSO President Emeritus
The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) has unanimously conferred Professor Alex Dodoo with the honorary title of President Emeritus following resolutions by both its executive council and general assembly.
The decision, which was taken during the 31st General Assembly of ARSO in Zanzibar, Tanzania, last Friday, recognised Prof. Dodoo’s exceptional leadership in advancing continental standards for trade, safety and sustainable development.
The resolution ensured his continued advisory role in the strategic direction of ARSO while mentoring future standardisation leaders across Africa.
The Secretary-General of ARSO, Dr Hemogene Nsengimana, said the title of President Emeritus was reserved for leaders whose impact transcended their tenure, reflecting lifelong dedication to their field.
Excellence
As immediate past ARSO President and Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority, Prof. Dodoo spearheaded the creation of critical structures within ARSO and influenced harmonisation initiatives supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Professor Dodoo, an expert in pharmaceuticals, public health, and standards regulation, has played a pivotal role in shaping the standardisation landscape of Africa.
Under his leadership, ARSO saw effective collaboration among member states culminating in the general assembly this year, and bringing together a record 34 countries, the highest in the history of the organisation.
The advocacy of Professor Dodoo for “One Standard, One Test, One Acceptance” across Africa has been instrumental in reducing technical barriers to trade and fostering economic integration.
In his new role, Professor Dodoo would continue to provide strategic guidance to ARSO, mentor emerging leaders in standardisation, and champion the voice of Africa in global standards bodies such as the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Professor Dodoo, in his acceptance remark, said, “This honour is not just a personal milestone but shows the collective efforts of all stakeholders working toward a standardised, competitive, and quality-driven Africa.”
He said, “Our journey is far from over, and I remain committed to the vision of an Africa where standards fuel prosperity.”
As President Emeritus, Professor Dodoo is expected to focus on critical areas such as strengthening Africa’s quality infrastructure, advocating for standards in emerging sectors such as renewable energy and digital economies and bridging the gap between academia, industry, and policymakers in standardisation.
Competence
The Executive Director of the Standards Division at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), Dr Sadhvir Bissoon, said Prof. Dodoo had contributed towards the leadership of the ARSO Council in driving strategy, governance, “reviewing our laws and statutes and ensuring their implementation”.
“I hope he will still serve the needs and aspirations of ARSO in his new role,” he said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
Private sector leaders who attended the event also lauded Professor Dodoo’s efforts to align African standards with global best practices.
The Regional Director of COTECNA, a key partner in the continental standards community, Antoine Anne, for his part, said the appointment of Professor Dodoo reaffirmed the commitment of the African continent to excellence.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
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EC to conduct elections in selected polling stations at Ablekuma North
As part of its commitment to resolve the impass egarding he Ablekuma North Constituency Parliamentary Election, the Electoral Commission(EC) yesterday, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, met with the representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The meeting, which was a follow-up to an earlier meeting held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, provided both parties the opportunity to brief the commission on any new
developments regarding the said constituency.
The parties informed the Commission that their positions put forward at the last mecting remained unchanged.
The NDC held the view that the election should be rerun thirty -seven
(37) Polling Stations because scanned Pink Sheets from 37 Polling Stations which were used to
collate the results, were provided the NPP.
The NPP was of the view that the results from three (3) outstanding Poling Stations be collated and a winner declared since the NDC Agents had verified and confirmed
the scanned Poling Station results they presented.
According to the EC, it is important for the public to understand that the issue in contention has to do with
the fact that 37 Pink Sheets provided by the NPP and used to colate the results were scanned copies.
“The Public may recall that Political Party supporters besieged our Collation Centre and
destroyed a number of the Pink Sheets for the Ablekuma North Parliamentary Elcction during the collation of results following the December 7 Gencral Election,” the EC added.
After extensive deliberations, the Commission informed the Political Parties that it would
proceed to rerun the election in 19
of the 37 Polling Stations.
The Commission arrived at the decision to rerun the election in the underlisted Polling Stations because, the scanned Polling Station resuits used for the collation, though approved by Agents of both political Parties, were not verified by the Presiding Officers responsible for the Polling
Stations.
According to the EC, it is instructive to note that the Commission was able to secure the Presiding Officers
verification and confirmation for 18 scanned Polling Station results-
Agents of both parties also approved same.
The election will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025
The Commission has further urged the Ghana Police Service to provide the needed security to ensure a safe environment for the conduct of the election.
