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Let’s change the narrative – George Quaye tells ATWAG
Newly inducted President of Arts and Tourism Writers Association of Ghana (ATWAG), George Nii Armah Quaye who is the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Image Bureau and host of Showbiz A to Z on Joy FM has urged to help change the narrative in their practice.
According to him the “time has come for members of the association to take up their rightful place in scheme of affairs by focusing on petinent issues.”
He made this call at the Handing Over and End of Year ceremony held on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at the Accra Tourist Information Centre.
Mr.Quaye who took over from Mr.William Asiedu, said there should be re-orientation and dedicated effort to highlight the country’s tourism and creative arts potential.
“The interesting connect is the fact that Mass media itself was birthed from culture! From the need to say something, share something, to tell a story!
So I ask you my Arts & Tourism Journalists, are you telling our story? If yes, exactly which story and how are you telling it?,” he quizzed.
He said, the creative industry in Ghana covered 10 main domains namely: visual arts, performing arts, cultural sites, traditional cultural expressions, publishing, new media, design, creative services, music and audio visuals.
Mr.Quaye noted that currently apart from music and movies and to a lesser extent heritage sites and visual arts, the other domains in the Creative Industry basket could arguably be likened to lesser-known sport. He added that the media has simply not shed enough light on it.
“We must change this and during my term, we will work together to change this narrative,” he said.
He said, that together with leadership the group would work beyond the welfare by collaborating with relevant agencies.
He thanked the outgoing executives for their dedication to the association in bringing it to its current stage.
Mr. Prince Osisiadan, a lawyer, who conducted the ceremony also urged members of ATWAG to be wary of defamatory stories that may land them in trouble.
ATWAG elected new executive committee members on December 17, 2021, for which George Nii Armah Quaye, was voted President.
Other executives are Livingstone Lotsu, Vice-President, Hagar Gyebuwaa Owusu, Treasurer, Rebekah Awuah, Secretary,Vera Adu-Amaning, Organiser,Stanley Awuku Wilson, Research Officer, Gloria Akpene-Acquah, Public Relations Officer.
The Arts and Tourism Writers Association of Ghana (ATWAG) is an association of Ghanaian arts writers/journalists and media workers.
It is aimed at promoting arts, tourism and culture reporting in Ghana while developing the professional capacity and welfare of its members.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, says more than 15,000 Ghanaian workers have lost their jobs following a directive issued by the Chief of Staff.
According to him, the dismissals affected not only people employed after the 2024 general elections, as stated in the directive, but also workers who had been lawfully employed as far back as 2017.
Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament, Mr. Afenyo-Markin said the Minority uncovered evidence showing serious excesses in the implementation of the directive.
“We became aware that although the letter was specific to those recruited after the 2024 elections, Ghanaian youth who were employed as far back as 2017 were all dismissed from their lawful employment,” he said.
He explained that the Minority filed a motion in Parliament to investigate the matter, which was admitted by the Speaker. However, the process has faced several delays.
According to him, the Majority Leader raised a preliminary objection to the motion, which was upheld by the First Deputy Speaker. The Minority later filed a motion for review under the rules of Parliament, which was also admitted.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin said the review motion was moved by him and seconded by the Member of Parliament for Ofoasi- Ayirebi, while the Majority Chief Whip, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor , began the debate on behalf of the Majority side.
He noted that the House was expected to continue the debate the following Tuesday to allow the Speaker to rule on the matter, but this has not happened due to other parliamentary business.
“Several times the motion appeared on the Order Paper, but we could not take it,” he stated.
The Minority Leader stressed that the delay is having serious consequences for affected workers and their families.
“This is a matter that affects the livelihood of Ghanaians. We have in excess of 15,000 Ghanaian youths affected by this directive, and they are still at home,” he said.
He added that the Minister for Employment has acknowledged receiving petitions on the issue and has initiated investigations, but said that should not stop Parliament from carrying out its own inquiry.
“These Ghanaian youths are sitting at home. Their wives, their extended families are all affected. It has been over a year, and they are not getting any justice,” he added.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin appealed to the Leader of Government Business to ensure that the motion is included in Parliament’s report and debated to allow the House to make a final decision on the matter.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Director of Communications for the United Party, Solomon Owusu, has expressed strong disappointment following the Supreme Court decision to quash the rerun of the Kpandai parliamentary election.
Mr Owusu made his views known while reacting to the ruling, stressing that he would feel deeply disappointed if he were in the position of Matthew Nyindam, the current Member of Parliament for Kpandai.
He explained that the High Court had earlier examined the case in detail and arrived at a clear determination on the matter.
According to him, the High Court found that the election was compromised and that rigging took place with the involvement of the Electoral Commission.
Mr Owusu pointed out that when the New Patriotic Party moved the case to the Supreme Court, it did not challenge the substance of the High Court findings.
He stated that the appeal was based purely on a point of law, arguing that the National Democratic Congress was time barred when it went to court, and not that the alleged rigging did not occur.
In his view, this means that Mr Nyindam remains in Parliament through an election process that did not reflect the true will of the people of Kpandai.
Mr Owusu noted that this was why he had expected a rerun of the election, to allow the MP to return to the constituency and properly establish his authority through the ballot.
He explained that a rerun would have given Mr Nyindam the opportunity to prove that he genuinely won the 2024 parliamentary election.
With the rerun now quashed, Mr Owusu questioned how the MP could celebrate or take pride in the court outcome.
He stressed that he would no longer take contributions made by Mr Nyindam in Parliament seriously, as the legitimacy of his mandate remains questionable in his view.
Mr Owusu further argued that the Supreme Court decision has shortchanged the people of Kpandai.
He described the ruling as unfair to voters who woke up early on election day, queued patiently, and voted for a candidate of their choice, only for their will to be undermined.
According to him, the outcome raises serious concerns about justice, electoral credibility, and respect for the democratic rights of the people.
By: Jacob Aggrey
