News
Make safety, health priority – Journalists told
Mr Motey addressing the media
A former Vice Chairman of the Tema Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Ian Motey, has urged journalists not to be over-zealous in their quest to gather facts for stories.
He said in their bid to get stories, it was important for the journalists to make conscious efforts to make their safety and security a priority.
Mr Motey, an Assistant Editor with The Ghanaian Times, the sister newspaper of the The Spectator, gave the advice at a media training programme on Wednesday.
He lectured on the topic ‘Ensuring safety of media personnel on the field.’
According to the experienced Journalist, using observational skills was one of the ways by which media personnel can protect themselves and lessen exposure to the public in the course of duty.
Observational skills are qualities and proficiencies that relate to a person’s ability to use one or more of their senses to acknowledge, analyse, understand and recall their surroundings and the elements within it.
According to him, the use of such skills would not draw unnecessary attention and if effectively used, those around would not notice the presence of a journalist covering an event.
“In coverage for riots and demonstrations, journalists must be more observant in order not to get exposed. If possible, don’t expose yourself at all. Sometimes you don’t even have to let people know that you are a journalist. You even have to hide your tags on some occasions,” he advised.
He said occasionally, the journalist can leave a crowded area to a secluded place to write a few points and quickly come back so that he/she would not draw unnecessary attention to him or herself.
Mr Motey said a media person on the field must also avoid making comments for or against any group or individual during an event because one could not tell who was listening.
“It’s better to be discreet and also adopt the use of technology so that what the journalist is doing would not be so obvious.
He said that since the courts were also sensitive places to report from, media personnel must ensure that they got the right training to avoid inaccurate reportage to draw disaffection from any of the parties or even the judiciary.
A journalist, he said should not feel embarrassed to contact technical people for advice where some terms were not easily understood.
“It is important to build hard-core evidence so that in case of any suits against journalists, you will be well-placed to put up a defence,” he said and added that, “journalists must take their health and well-being seriously because the demands of the job comes with a lot of stress.”
Media persons, he said sometimes starved themselves, avoided sleep and worked so hard just to ensure they gave the public the best and in the process made a lot of compromises which become detrimental to their health.
Mr Motey called on the media to be fair and firm in their reportage, and be sensitive to issues of national security because according to him, some stories could compromise the peace and security of the country.
“Just because you have access to some information does not necessarily mean you should publish it. You have to be very discerning,” he noted.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Ashaiman
President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to remain united, grateful and prayerful despite the recent floods that claimed lives and destroyed property in parts of Accra.
Speaking at the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving held at the forecourt of the State House in Accra, the President noted that the nation had gathered not because all its challenges had been solved, but to reflect, give thanks to God and renew its commitment to the country’s development.
He explained that throughout Ghana’s history, the nation had consistently turned to God during both difficult and successful times, describing faith as one of the country’s strongest pillars.
“We gather not as members of different political parties, ethnic groups or religions, but as one people under God,” President Mahama stated.
He encouraged Ghanaians to approach the occasion with grateful hearts, stressing that every blessing the country enjoys comes from God.
Reflecting on the recent floods that devastated parts of Accra, President Mahama acknowledged the pain of families who lost loved ones and property during the disaster.
Despite the tragedy, he urged citizens to draw strength from Scripture, quoting First Epistle to the Thessalonians Chapter 5, Verse 18, which encourages believers to give thanks in all circumstances.
The National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving brought together religious leaders, members of Parliament, the Judiciary, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security service chiefs, traditional leaders and other dignitaries to pray for the nation and reflect on its progress and challenges.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Renowned Ghanaian businessman and an indigene of the Upper East Region, Awentami Paul Afoko, has called for the construction of an international airport in the Upper East Region, arguing that it is critical to unlocking the region’s agricultural and export potential.
Addressing stakeholders at the Regional Development Framework validation forum in Bolgatanga, Mr. Afoko said the Upper East Region possesses enormous economic opportunities that can be harnessed through strategic investment in agriculture, infrastructure,, and trade.
“As an entrepreneur, I have learnt that governments do not create businesses; entrepreneurs do. Government’s responsibility is to create the environment within which businesses can thrive,” he said.
He highlighted irrigation projects and commercial farming as key drivers of economic transformation, urging greater investment in year-round production of vegetables, fruits, and flowers for international markets.
“The challenge is not finding buyers. The challenge is producing at sufficient scale throughout the year,” he stated.
Mr. Afoko also called for investment in warehouses, cold-chain facilities, packaging centres and standardized production systems to improve the competitiveness of local products, including shea butter, basket weaving, and textiles.
“We must organise ourselves to produce standardised products and invest in warehouses, cold chains, and packaging so that we become year-round suppliers,” he said.
He stressed that an international airport would significantly boost exports from the region.
“We need an airport urgently so that flowers from the Upper East can reach Europe before Kenyan flowers do. Burkina Faso produces strawberries, and we can do the same,” he remarked.
According to Mr. Afoko, the region’s strategic location also presents opportunities to expand cross-border trade with neighbouring countries through stronger economic diplomacy.
“There is the need for an international airport in the region to enable us to seize export opportunities. Our strategic location also presents enormous opportunities to strengthen border trade,” he added.
He called on the government, diplomats, and development partners to work together to position the Upper East Region as a major agricultural and export hub in West Africa.
By: Jacob Aggrey
