Communications Minister On Supreme Court Ruling

The Government of Ghana says it studying yesterday?s ruling by the supreme court which declared that the appointment of heads and governing bodies of the state owned media by the president as null and void and that it will issue a statement on after that.

Communications Minister John Mahama told journalist at a post cabinet press briefing that the government would hold consultations with all key players, including the National Media Commission before coming out with any decision on the ruling.

We received a copy of the ruling yesterday in the evening. ?We are now studying it and will come out after speaking to all stakeholders,? he said in a side-kicking to the briefing. Mr.Mahama said government?s decision to consult stakeholders will not mean contesting the ruling.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday declared null and void all government appointments of chairmen, other members of governing bodies and chief executives of all state owned media after 1992.The court said those appointments were made in contravention of the Article 168 of the 1992 constitution, which deals with the appointment the appointment of chief executives and board members of state-owned media. The article states that the National Media Commission shall appoint the chairmen and other members of the governing bodies all state owned media.

The court?s ruling was contained in a judgement delivered in a case in which the National Media Commission filed a writ against the Attorney General claiming that the government acted unconstitutionally by making such appointments. Organasations affected by the ruling are the Ghana News Agency, New Times Corporation, Graphic Communications Group Limited and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.