General News of Monday, 2 April 2018
Source: Myjoyonline.com
2018-04-02
Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Minister of Information
Information Minister, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid says the deliberate politicisation of issues that are of best interest to the public continue to be a threat to the country’s democratic governance.
At a media briefing held in Bolgatanga, the Sector Minister observed that the media landscape has allowed itself to be polarised thereby giving way for pundits to score cheap political points.
Mr. Abdul-HamidHamid however, cautioned the media not to be used as conduits in spreading false information but rather act as independent arbiters.
The Information Minister gave the advice when reacting to issues in connection with the Defence Corporation Agreement between Ghana and the US as well as matters that have unfolded in the past two weeks.
Issues discussed at the meeting bordered on the Ghana-US defense corporation agreement, change of Flagstaff House to Jubilee house, the Right to information Bill, TV licence and delay in the activation of the digital migration among others.
Issues affecting the socio-economic wellbeing of people in the Upper East Region were also brought to fore for discussion.
On the Ghana-US corporation agreement, Information Minister, Mr. Abdul-Hamid said President Akufo-Addo did not seek the high office of government with the ill-intent of putting the lives of Ghanaians in danger.
He however gave the assurance that whatever decision the government took over the deal was in the supreme interest of the Ghanaian people.
The Information Minister further noted with concern that the country’s airwaves are often inundated with facts that are distorted and trivial in character.
The development, he bemoaned tend to generate intense fear and panic among the listening and viewing populace.
Mr. Abdul-Hamid therefore urged the media to build their capacities and serve as arbiters to be able to digest issues critically.
In response to other concerns raised, Mr. Abdul-Hamid announced that government is poised to ensure the complete the switch over of the digital migration.
This he said will be actualised in the middle of the year.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari alter took turns to respond to issues pertaining to the region.
He also advised the media to go beyond business as usual and develop the passion for issues that have the potency to accelerate the pace of development in the region.