Media should be partner in search for transparency

Accra, May 21, GNA - Mr. Kodjo Yankah, President of African University College of Communication (AUCC), has called on the 15-member Steering Committee of Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), to consider the media as a partner in the search for transparency and accountability in the country's oil, gas and mining industries.

He asked the committee not to be media shy but to open its doors to journalists so that adequate information concerning important activities could reach the public. Mr. Yankah was speaking at a workshop, organized jointly by Committee, an initiative of government, civil society and mining companies that seek to increase transparency in the payment and use of revenue from the extractive industry, for journalists, in Accra on Thursday.

He said "I know some Chief Executives, who will not like to talk to the media, but will ask the public relations officer to handle all communication activities," but such entrenched position did not help organizations to grow.

Mr. Yankah urged the media to be objective and accurate in its reportage.

In 2003 Ghana embraced the principles of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), an initiative launched in September 2002 by former the UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, in order to promote good governance, accountability and transparency in the utilization of mining benefits.

Nana Juaben-Boaten Siriboe, Chief Director of Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, explained that Ghana embraced the principles of GHEITI five years ago, in order to promote good governance, accountability and transparency in the utilization of mining benefits. He said: "By adopting this initiative, government therefore seeks to ensure that investors make appropriate payments in the right way and the right time," he said adding "while government utilizes the receipts for the intended purpose to achieve sustainable development." Mr. Amponsah Tawiah, a member of the EITI steering committee, said the use of natural resources as an important engine for sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction, if not managed well could create negative economic social impacts.

He said public understanding of government revenue and expenditure could inject investor confidence and enhance public financial management and accountability. Mr. Tawiah called for a nationwide sensitization programme to educate mining communities about the initiative and its potential benefits. He was hopeful that an interaction of the committee with the media would help in spreading the concept as a tool for improving the extractive industry. Mr. Sulemanu Koney, a delegate from the Ghana Chamber of Mines, was of the view that if mining companies complied with the international cyanide management code and the laws in the country as well as adopted best international governance practices, transparency could be promoted. He called on statutory agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, Value Added Tax service, Mineral Commission, Environmental Protection Agencies to be proactive to ensure transparency and accountability in the extractive industry. The objective of the workshop was to train members of the media on EITI activities and how to effectively build public awareness on transparency in the extractive sector. 20 May 09