Journalists urged to be fair to all party candidates, parties

Obuasi, Jan. 05, GNA - Mr. John Alexander Ackon, the 2008 National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Obuasi has appealed to journalists and other media personnel to create a level playing field for all candidates and parties in this year's electioneering campaigns. "I extend New Year wishes to all pressmen and journalists and urge them to be fair to all candidates in the political campaigns ahead and further to be fearless in the conduct of business, particularly in this election year," he said.

During a New Year interaction with the press at Obuasi, Mr. Ackon stressed; "I extend same new year wishes to all political parties in the Obuasi constituency, the NDC, NPP, CPP, DFP and the rest. I urge all to trust in the Lord and ensure peaceful conduct of this year's elections". The Obuasi NDC Candidate observed that this year was going to be interesting with the political chemistry going to be intense but called for issue-centred and development-oriented campaigns instead of personality-centred and derogatory campaigns. Mr. Ackon said Obuasi Municipality needed a more matured person to represent them in parliament, stressing that "Obuasi needs a better political projection and the media has a stake in this direction".

He pointed out that some people had started to attack his personality with unfound stories, but said he could cope with these "skirmishes." "My character is not to defame persons for the sake of politics'. Mr Ackon stressed, adding, "if anything at all, I deserve better treatment from the press".

The NDC candidate further pointed out that, there were a lot of people who were playing roles more that Ministers and MPs to move the economy and the country forward and that, to spoil their character for the sake of political expediency was unfortunate. Mr Ackon prayed for understanding and political tolerance and expressed the hope that God would give the Obuasi constituency and the nation abundant blessings during the year.