The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo -Addo has assured that his government will continue to support the development and growth of the media and media practitioners.
According to him, the Government through the Ministry of Information has initiated capacity building, safety and security and other programmes geared towards enhancing professional standards in creating a congenial environment for the practice of journalism in Ghana.
He gave the assurance at the first dinner night of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) at the International Press Centre on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.
The dinner which used to be part of the GJA Media awards was decoupled this time around.
President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Rev. Mr Joyce Aryee, the Executive Chairman of the Tobinco Group of Companies, Elder Nana Amo Tobbin I, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh graced the colourful occasion.
Sponsors of the show, journalists also joined the Executives of the GJA, led by Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour at the Press Centre to wine and dine and listen to good music.
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Speaking at the event, President Akufo Addo said,”While making such a commitment, we should recognise the need for training, critical engagement by society with our media, self regulation and insistence on high media ethics in journalistic standards by media houses, practitioners and their organisation as part of the process of building a country of high standards and profession in the Ghanaian media. Government and the media have a responsibility to uphold these high standards. When we appreciate this imperative and discharge them faithfully, Ghana will be beneficial.”
The President noted that as the Government has engaged the IMF, some persons would like to speak truths and untruths about the measures with the goal of misinforming the public, urging the media not to fall prey to such persons.
“I have an appeal to make of you especially in the times we find ourselves in where the dissemination of accurate information is so critical, as all of you know, we have had to seek the collaboration of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in repair in a short term our public financing, this collaboration with the IMF is being that government on its part is having to implement difficult and painful measures to get our nation out of the situation which it finds itself,” he said.
He continued that, “As natural as it should be, there would be those who seek for narrow partisan end to spew truths, untruths about these measures, with the ultimate goal of being able to misinform the Ghanaian people in creating disaffection for government,
I would urge you, not to fall prey to the schemes of such persons.”
Meanwhile, he said information regarding the ongoing process is readily available at the Ministries of Finance and Information, entreating all to assist in this endeavour in order to get facts about the programme.
President Akufo Addo said,”The rebuilding of a strong, resilient Ghanaian economy is at the heart of this exercise, it should be the responsibility of all of us.”
He regretted that despite the unseen best efforts of the police to grab murderers of Ahmed Suale, the perpetrators have still not been apprehended, assuring that,”As long as I am President, this dossier will not be closed until hopefully, they are brought to justice.”
He praised the GJA President, Mr. Albert Dwumfour, and the Executives for taking the risk of establishing the journalist support fund to assist journalists who are attacked while carrying out their duties.
“I hereby pledge my personal and government’s support to this noble initiative as well as to creating an environment in which such attacks are minimised if not eliminated,” He stated.
The President again said the government remains committed to empowering the citizens, media and civil society so that all can play a role in realising the country’s vision of building a progressive and prosperous Ghana, a Ghana beyond aid.
“As President of Ghana, I am confident that Ghanaian people will continue to exercise their right to free expression in all circumstances because of their determination to build a free open society with accountable government no matter the cost,” he said.
He said he has taken notes of the various requests by the GJA President and assured him of his support.
He congratulated all hardworking journalists who emerged winners at the recent GJA media awards and encouraged all others to perform their duties to the benefit of the nation.
Ghana| Atinkanline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori