Government, media asked to collaborate efforts

Berekum (Brong Ahafo), 16 Feb. '99 -

Alhaji Kwadwo Maama Adam, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, yesterday called on the government and the media to build partnership and establish dialogue in their common desire to seek the welfare of the people. "We need each other in the dissemination of information, education and articulation of the views of the society'', Alhaji Adam said at the annual soiree and first regional awards night of the Brong Ahafo branch of the Ghana Journalists' Association (GJA) at Berekum at the weekend.

Ten people including sportsmen, journalists, businessmen and politicians who have either contributed to the growth of journalism or excelled in their various fields of endeavour were honoured with certificates at the function. They include Mr J.H. Owusu-Acheampong, Minister of Agriculture, Mr J.H. Mensah, Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Kwasi Owusu and Mr Agyeman Gyau, both former members of the national soccer team, the Black Stars and Mr Ernest Apraku, a sawmiller. Others are Mr Owusu Agyemang, Mr S.K.O. Nyame, Mr Kwabena Appeagyei Danka, Mr Christian Kwadwo Gyabaah, and Mr J. Tuffour, all retired journalists. Alhaji Adam said the media and the government have a common objective of improving the standard of living of the people and promoting peace, security and stability of the country.

He, however, regretted that some members of the press sometimes resort to sensationalism in order to market their papers without regard to their reputation, integrity and the constitutional right of their victims. Alhaji Adam commended the national executives of the GJA for expressing concern about these unhealthy journalistic practices and taking steps to curb ''this canker''.

He appealed to journalists to discharge their duties honourably and to use their power of investigative reporting to assist the Regional Security Council in handling threats to peace and order, particularly religious conflicts and chieftaincy disputes in Brong Ahafo. In a welcoming address, the Berekum District Chief Executive, Mrs Mary Boakye, stressed the importance of the media in promoting grassroots democracy. "Democracy cannot thrive in an uninformed environment; people need to know what is happening around them, the options available to them, their rights and responsibilities before they can act decisively," she noted.

Mrs Boakye advised FM stations to give more air-time to local music than foreign ones as a means of promoting the country's culture. The regional chairman of the GJA, Mr L.V. Amengor, said the awards, the first of its kind in the region, show how journalists are prepared to encourage people to excel in their endeavours to be role models in their communities. He thanked institutions who assisted in sponsoring the programme and noted that such collaboration would help to promote journalism in the region.