Straight Talk speaks on VOA in Ghana.

Accra, May 25, GNA - Mr Shaka Ssali, host of Straight Talk Africa, a show on the Voice Of America (VOA), on Wednesday said the stability, press freedom and other antecedents of democratic practices by Ghana had attracted the VOA to the shores of the country. Shaka Ssali, who is in Accra for the official launch of VOA in Ghana, told the GNA in an interview he was humbled by the seriousness Ghanaians attached to democracy, the rule of law and the expressions of democracy.

He said after interacting with a section of the people he had been impressed with how, by and large, Ghanaians were ensuring and enjoying democratic practices.

He said stability, peace, democratic persuasions and the congenial atmosphere in the country had been the hallmarks of Ghana qualifying to listen and enjoy the services of VOA.

He said VOA was a recognised station seeking to empower countries and their citizenry to democratically move to greater heights and to get to know the world around them as they independently projected the image of democracy.

He said VOA was not here to impose its ideas on Ghanaians but rather wanted greater participation of its listeners and contributors especially Africans to know what happened around them globally and internally.

He said VOA would share its stage with Ghanaians knowing what to offer the people in terms of news that would speed up development and democracy. He said VOA would be a partner to the aspirations of listeners and contributors to the pursuits of the station 98.1, henceforth.

He enjoined Ghanaians to share their democratic concerns via healthy exchanges and sentiments for a collective leap to enhanced democratic benefits that obviously would translate and transform the country into economic and social stability.

Commending Ghana for her modest democratic achievements, he said, VOA had come to stay and to participate in the democratic travels of the nation. He also commended the Ghanaian press for its immense contribution to democracy despite the numerous challenges to report accurately and objectively to the people, whose desires and aspirations they championed.

Mrs Mary Carlin Yates, US Ambassador to Ghana, said VOA had come to stay and her outfit would support the radio station to disseminate the good news about democracy, press freedom and the rule of law adding that Ghana was on the right path to succeeding in democratic governance.