By
Maxwell Awumah, GNA
Ho, Jan. 08, GNA – Dr
Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister has pledged his support and that
of the Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) to the completion of the second
phase of the Ghana Journalists Association Volta Press Centre project in Ho.
He said the VRCC and
its Municipal and District Assemblies would fashion out a mechanism to support
the project to completion.
Dr. Letsa made the
pledge at a press soiree by the Regional Coordinating Council in Ho.
He described the
relationship between the VRCC and journalists as excellent, translating into
multiple achievements by the Council and stated its resolve to promote the
welfare of journalists and ensure their safety.
The Regional
Minister called on media owners, journalists, media practitioners and
especially radio morning show hosts to avoid empaneling one-sided guests for
political programmes, because that was detrimental to social-cohesion,
integration and a recipe for political violence.
He said the
single-sided empaneling skews representation to a course that was
discriminatory, uneven, unprofessional and unethical, especially in an election
year.
“Fairness of
representation was equal to the quality of the morning show itself,” Dr. Letsa
stated.
He observed that
Tongu Radio was gaining notoriety in using its platform to champion
secessionists’ agenda, which impugned on national security urging them to stop
or face the rigours of state power.
The Regional
Minister said to further strengthen media relations, regular media encounters
would be organised to keep the media updated on government’s programmes and
achievements.
Mr Kenwuud Nuworsu,
former Volta Regional Chairman, New Patriotic Party, said there was nothing
wrong for journalists to belong to political parties provided they remained
professional and ethical on the job.
“How you balance
your craft demonstrates your professionalism,” he said, urging them to be
“bold” and join political parties and make their positions known.
Mr Anthony-Bells
Kafui Kanyi, Chair, Volta GJA, commended the Regional Minister for being
accessible to the media and urged Municipal and District Chief Executives to do
same.
He said the Press
Centre project was dear to the Association and would need the support from
public and private organisations to complete.
Mr Kudjo Edmund
Attah, Dean of Municipal and District Chief Executives in the Region, pledged
to strike the necessary partnership with the media especially in telling their
landmark achievements ahead of the 2020 general elections.
GNA
