Aliu seek media's commitment to fight indiscipline

Vice President Aliu Mahama, Friday, pushed his campaign against indiscipline forward with a media launch that sought the partnership of journalists to eliminate unruliness from all spheres of society.

At a reception at his residence, hosted for media practitioners, Vice President Mahama urged both the electronic and the print media to devote air time and space respectively to discuss the issue and promote decent behaviour.

Some Ministers of State who also attended the reception took turns to address the issue. Vice President Mahama recalled his Independence Anniversary Clarion Call on Ghanaians to fight indiscipline and described media practitioners as "frontline soldiers" whose commitment was crucial for the success of the crusade.

"We need your support to wage a total war on indiscipline at workplaces, on the roads, in schools and, indeed, in all spheres of life," he said. The government, he said, would soon outdoor its strategic plan to fight indiscipline, adding that it was necessary for the media to precede this with awareness creation programmes.

Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, said it would be difficult for Ghana to achieve socio-economic progress if Ghanaians did not adopt positive attitudes and behaviour.

"An undisciplined society would not make it. Our nation would wallow in poverty if we continue with our unruliness," he said. Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey commended media and advertising agencies, which had agreed to offer free service for the crusade, saying the response to the crusade was encouraging.

Mr Baah Wiredu, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said the district assemblies, town councils and unit committees would be made to appreciate the campaign and join it. He said the crusade should be a long-term process to make a significant impact. Mr Baah Wiredu said the judiciary would also be resourced to deal swiftly with offenders.

Mr Salifu Mahami, Upper East Regional Minister, said the government was aware of the constraints faced by media practitioners, especially those in the regions and districts, in their work and would, therefore, help to resolve them.

Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi, Minister of Education, stressed the need to dialogue with the youth to find out the reasons for their disruptive behaviour in schools so that their concerns would be resolved.

Some media practitioners pledged their support to the cause, but appealed to the government to implement its strategy and ensure the enforcement of law. Mr Haruna Atta, Editor of the "Accra Mail", appealed to government officials to be punctual at public functions to promote the efficient use of time.