The late Samuel Nuamah
The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) has expressed its condolence to the New Times Corporation following the death of its presidential correspondent, Samuel Nuamah.
Dr Nii Moi Thompson, Director General of the NDPC, expressed the sympathy on behalf of the Commissioners to the staff during a visit to the Corporation in Accra on Thursday.
He said although it was sad for the sudden loss of life at a working environment, it was more traumatizing when the deceased was young.
Dr Thompson said there was the need to improve the working conditions of journalists, adding that the Commission was going to take steps towards achieving that possibly in the long-term development policy.
He said the Commission would consider contributing to the educational support fund of the deceased’s son to provide a lively upbringing of the child.
Ms Carol Annang, Managing Director of Ghanaian Times, told the NDPC that the loss had affected their operations although they were trying to deliver to Ghanaians as expected of them.
“We wished you had visited us under a pleasant circumstance than the situation is now," she said.
Ms Annang said the circumstance should trigger the nation including governmental and nongovernmental organisations to re-consider the conditions under which journalists worked.
“Better structures and conditions should be put in place to encourage journalists to deliver their best knowing that they are backed or covered in the midst of risks as they practice the profession, so that young ones who wish to join the profession are not deterred by such circumstances,” she said.
Ms Annang said the Corporation was setting up an educational support fund for the two year-old son of the late Samuel Nuamah so that the family did not become traumatised by the sudden transition.
She disclosed that the funeral of Samuel Nuamah would take place at the forecourt of the State House on September 17, 2015, and the burial would be at the Osu Cemetery.
Mr Dave Agbenu, Editor of Ghanaian Times, said there would be a Book of Condolence for loved ones to express their sympathies at the burial ceremony.
