Government not on warpath with Radio Gold

The new Minister of Information and National Orientation, Hon. Oboshie Sai Cofie , on Wednesday, August 01, 2007, paid an unannounced familiarisation visit to Radio Gold, a station noted for its immense critique of the present government.

In an interview with morning show host, James Agyenim Boateng, she said the choice of the station as her first point of call, coming immediately after her assumption of office, was among others, to dispel the notion that government and the station were on a collision course with each other. It was also to establish a more cordial working environment between her ministry and its partners, the media. She hoped the media would co-operate with her to make her ministry “the channel of choice for information”. She advised the media to endeavour to put out the facts, even as they strive to be constructive in their criticisms. The Minister also spoke on the need for balanced representation on their programs and asked them to invite government officials to the programs. The show host begged to differ, as he said that most officials invited did not show up.

A few questions also came up about her new role. Asked about it, she said that although she felt excited on hearing the news of her elevation, she also felt apprehensive because the seat is a hot one. She has nonetheless braced herself up for the challenges. On her experience before the appointments committee of parliament for her vetting, she said it was nerve-racking, and created a state of nerves, similar to pre-exam tension.

The producer of the morning show, Roland Acquah Stevens, and a well known presenter, Koo Fori, who conducted the minister and her team round the station expressed appreciation of the visit and pledged to work hand in hand with her.

The Minister and her entourage’s next point of call was the “Salaga Market”. In a meeting with the leaders after exchanging pleasantries with the traders, she explained that the purpose of the visit was to get to find out from them if they were aware of the numerous interventions of the government, know their grievances at first hand, and channel them to the appropriate authorities for redress.

The market queen, Yoo Mercy, praised the government for the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). She recounted a personal experience where she underwent a successful operation at the Ridge Hospital costing ¢ 5,000,000 (GH ¢5,000), but paid not a pesewa because she had registered for the NHIS. She advised her colleagues and all Ghanaians who have as yet not registered to do so. She, on behalf of the traders, appealed to the government to expedite action on the completion of the market. They commended the Minister and appealed for more of such interactions with their elected officials.

Hon. Oboshie Sai Cofie and her team also visited the studios of Obonu, Adom, and Meridian Fm stations, all in Tema. It is revealing that Obonu Fm has been resourced with modern state of the art digital equipment by government. At an inspection of their almost completed multi-purpose digital drama and theatre studio, the minister advised the management to liaise with her ministry so that the programmes of the two can be integrated.