Use airwaves to educate masses - Asamoah Boateng

Agona Swedru (C/R), Dec 15, GNA - Mr Steve Asamoah Boateng, Deputy Minister of Information, has cautioned radio presenters to use the airwaves to educate the masses on national issues.

He said, "some presenters use the opportunity at their disposal to create confusion and chaos instead of educating the populace on policies and programmes to move the nation forward".

Inaugurating the Golden Star FM at Agona Swedru, in the Central Region, Mr Asamoah Boateng said the government's acceptance to give the Ghana Frequency Board more chance to offer individuals the opportunity to open radio stations was to ensure that democracy thrived, in the country.

He noted that it was also to enable people in the rural areas to have access to radio to speak their minds on national issues.

The Deputy Minister urged presenters to desist from acts that would fan conflicts and incite people against others, adding that, the nation could only see socio-economic advancement in an atmosphere of peace. He advised them to be cautious, decent, courteous and "you should not think that you are above everybody in the town, which can make the station unpopular".

Mr Samuel Obodai, MP Agona West, described information dissemination as a major factor in growing economies and said "lack of proper and good information to the people creates confusion, anarchy and chaos within the society".

He advised broadcasters to be objective and investigative considering the sensitive nature of their work.

Mr Obodai noted that the establishment of the Golden Star FM was one his campaign promises and would offer an opportunity for the people to contribute to important national issues.

The MP called on Ghanaians to be grateful to the government for promoting Freedom of Expression, which had led to the establishment of FM stations throughout the country.

Asamoah inaugurates NHIS committee for Agona District

Agona Swedru (C/R), Dec 15, GNA - The Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Steve Asamoah Boateng, on Friday inaugurated a 15-member National Health Insurance Scheme Committee for the Agona District. He charged the members to intensify their sensitisation programme for the people to understand and embrace the scheme to ensure its success.

The Committee has representatives from labour organisations, farmers groups, Ghana Education Service, District Health Management Team, transport organisations and the District Assembly.

He said the government had voted a substantial amount for districts, which had inaugurated their NHIS committees for administrative expenses to lessen the burden on the assemblies.

Mr Asamoah expressed regret that some Ghanaians had politicised the scheme forgetting that human lives were involved, adding that, "precious lives are being lost as a results of the cash and carry system in the health sector".

The Deputy Minister noted that poverty had prevented people from the payment of medical bills, saying, "there is the need to contribute a little fund for safe keeping to care for our health in future". Mr John Kwesi Agyabeng, District Chief Executive and Chairman of the Committee, pledged the commitment of the members to work hard to meet the aspiration of the people.

He said the income levels and poverty would be considered before arriving on the required premium for the scheme to begin. The DCE said the government had voted 5.5 billion cedis to three districts in the Central Region including Agona for implement the scheme.