Media Commission sets up regional structures

The National Media Commission (NMC) of Ghana has begun the inauguration of Regional Media Advisory Committees (RMAC) across the country to strengthen the Commission’s ability to monitor and engage with media players across the country.

“The institution of the RMACs is a creative intervention in the spirit of the NMC’s constitutional mandate,” Kwasi Gyan- Apenteng, Chairman of the Commission said at the inauguration of a seven-member Volta RMAC in Ho on Tuesday.

Most Reverend Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, Bishop of Ho Diocese of the Catholic Church Chairs the VRMAC.

Other members are Dr George Mawusi Afeti, Former Rector of Ho Polytechnic, Mr Simon Kobla Dewotor and Mr Nenorla Kwashie Kallten Gidiglo, retired Educationists, Ms Yaa Amankwa Opuni, Assistant Registrar, University of Health and Allied Sciences Ho, Mr Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi, acting Volta Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association and Mr Bruce Senam McBrain, a member of the Ghana Writers Association.

Mr Gyan-Apenteng said the RMACs “are being set up at an important time in Ghana’s history”, the 2016 elections, which hopefully would confirm to the world that Ghana’s democracy has matured and is capable of producing “our desired outcome of free and fair elections in an atmosphere of peace and calm.”

“Equally, this election will provide a stern test about the ability of the independent constitutional institutions” including the NMC “to do their job according to their mandates”.

Mr Gyan-Apenteng said “the dynamics of the Ghana media scene dictate that the NMC must continue to develop strategies to fulfill its mandate.”

The programme, under which all regions would have the regional Media Advisory Committees is the under the sponsorship of the European Commission (EU).