Media should foster national unity – NCCE

Haruna Huseini Sulemana, Upper West Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has urged the Ghanaian media to desist from undermining democracy through the manipulation of the minds of the people.

He said though the country had remained peaceful after the Supreme Court’s verdict on the election petition, the sustenance of lasting peace would depend on the kind of information the media would give out to the public.

Mr. Sulemani made these remarks at a post verdict education durbar at Busa in the Wa Municipality of the region organized by the NCCE headquarters in collaboration with the Municipal directorate of the Commission on Thursday.

He appealed to the media to support in overcoming the petty problems that were still prevalent after the Supreme Court’s ruling on the election petition.

The durbar was part of activities lined up by the NCCE to educate Ghanaians and political parties on the need to maintain peace before and after the pronouncement of the Court’s verdict.

The Supreme Court on August 29 ruled in favour of President John Dramani Mahama in the petition filed by three prominent members of the New Patriotic Party challenging the President's victory in the December 2012 Presidential election.

The NCCE Regional Director was also of the view that politicians had to take part of the blame for the infractions that were being witnessed in the media.

He said if political actors did not talk on issues that would build society but rather dwelt on those that would divide the people, media personnel could totally not be faulted for the information they gave out for public consumption.

Mr. Kassim Sumani, Wa Municipal Director of the Commission said Ghanaians needed peace to develop to the level of other countries.

“We must therefore be wary of people who never want peace and would rather wake up dogs and cats from their sleep.”