Mr Mahama Ayariga Accra, Jan. 25, GNA – Mr Mahama Ayariga, Minister Designate for Information and Media Relations, has described the Ghana News Agency (GNA) as the most credible media institution with the best expertise for gathering information and reporting accurately.
Mr Ayariga, who said this when he appeared before the vetting committee of Parliament, added that the GNA can become the hub of information if well resourced and the condition of workers are well catered.
He said it is the vision of the government to ensure the capacity development of media persons adding that the media development fund could be used to develop and improve upon the Ghana News Agency, Information Service Department and other media organizations for their proper functioning.
He said he would pay attention to the development of the immense potential of the Ghana News Agency for the benefit of Ghanaians and enable it play its role in this competitive age of information dissemination.
He said the media development fund was not created because government wants to undermine the independence of the media adding that the National Media Commission (NMC) and the Ministry of Information have their clear cut roles and the Ministry is to protect state media from governmental control.
He urged the NMC and the Ministry to work in partnership to find a middle ground that would ensure that the fund was not going to be used to stifle media independence.
Mr Ayariga said due to the current environment of media polarization some media would be very critical about government thus it is the duty of government to ensure that its policies and programmes are well communicated and must be credible.
Alhaji A. B Fuseini, Minister designate for Lands and Natural Resources, also at the vetting, said foreigners were not entitled to any piece of land within artisan mining areas.
He said opportunities exist for foreigners in the large and middle scale mining areas whilst artisanal mining was the preserve for citizens.
Alhaji Fuseini said government would pursue policies to ensure that decency prevails in the use of land administration in the country.
Mr Clement Humado, Minister designate for Food and Agriculture, Alhaji Amidu Sulemani, Minister designate for Roads and Highways were also vetted by the committee.
GNA