Expose fake journalists in the society - Papa Ankomah

Takoradi, Sept. 19, GNA - Papa Owusu Ankomah, Member of Parliament for Sekondi has called on the National Executive Committee of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to expose fake Journalists in the society.

He said "These individuals use the freedom of speech guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution to write negative and false reports about government officials and Ministers of State, without any justifiable reason, while others engage in blackmail and other negative acts." Papa Owusu Ankomah made the appeal when presenting an 850 Ghana cedis, 2.5 horse power Samsung split air condition to members of Western Regional branch of GJA at Takoradi on Friday. He pointed out that Journalists worldwide were the mirror of society and their reports had influence on the individual and developments in several deprived and inaccessible communities. Papa Ankomah reminded journalists that they had a duty to ensure their reportage did not inflame passions, but rather promote peace, unity and development in the country.

He said the presentation, was in response to an appeal made by the association during a visit to the Press Centre a few weeks ago. Papa Ankomah asked journalists, to play a leading role in Election 2008 and contribute to a peaceful and fair election. He commended the branch for its foresight in establishing a Press Centre, second to the National Secretariat in Accra. Papa Ankomah urged the media to expose wrong doing by Ministers of State and government functionaries to enable government function effectively and efficiently in the interest of all and sundry. "You are there to correct us when we go wrong in a professional way," he added.

Mr George Amihere Naykene, Western Regional Chairman of GJA, expressed appreciation to Papa Ankomah for his quick response to the appeal. He said the Press Centre was open to the public, especially those who believed in free speech and were prepared to promote and interact with the media. Mr Naykene appealed to individuals and organizations to assist in making the press centre functional.