Media reports on corruption will bring positive change

Mr Daniel Batidam, Government Advisor on Governance, has appealed to the Media to be analytic of their reportage, especially on matters of corruption, in order to make the people better citizens.

Mr Batidam said these were principles that should be held high and more critically now as the country was putting in measures such as the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) to fight corruption.

The government advisor said this at a day's seminar with Upper East Media Personnel in Bolgatanga, to discuss strategies and approaches to the implementation of the 10 years NACAP in creating a sustainable democratic society in Ghana.

He said government placed premium on fighting corruption, and had therefore shown signs of commitment in ensuring that necessary measures were in place to support CHRAJ to roll out NACAP, in spite of the budgetary constraints.

He said NACAP served as a blueprint in the fight against corruption, and called on the media to use it as an opportunity to create awareness, and educate people in order to change their mentality and attitude since all facets of the society were affected by ravages of corruption.

Mr Richard Quayson, the Acting Commissioner of CHRAJ, noted that the media was a key stakeholder to partner with in the fight against corruption, and indicated that the menace had become endemic, and needed holistic approaches in the implementation of NACAP.

He said the meeting with the media was part of capacity-building moves by CHRAJ to involve all key stakeholders in NACAP, and to ensure that consequences of corruption were curtailed.

He stressed that corruption impeded people to enjoy their fundamental human rights, and therefore the need for the media to create awareness and to let people know what was right and wrong.

Mr James Zugah Tiigah, Upper East Regional Minister, reiterated the need to integrate anti -corruption measures in all institutions and agencies to ensure that the menace was completely eradicated.

He said as the media was the fourth arm of government, it should do more to assist politicians to overcome corruption and avoid sensationalism of issues.

Mr Charles Ayamdoo, Director of CHRAJ in charge of corruption, took personnel through NACAP and roles of the media, stressing on the three pronged approach of prevention, education, investigation and prosecution in fighting corruption.