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| Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo |
As the country gears up for the 2012 general elections, the media have been challenged not to go beyond the confines of their professional ethics but rather be accurate and factual in their reportage in order not to create confusion in the country. If the media would accept that journalism is meant to improve upon societal well-being by presenting accurate and reliable information to the populace, then their sources of information should not be doubted because accurate and reliable information is an indispensable tool for the realization of good governance. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo gave the advice at a press soiree organized at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. Mr. Woyongo re-echoed government’s committed to ensuring a free, fair and transparent election, saying as a country it behoves us to complement government’s effort by refraining from negativities that are capable of denting the country’s hard won democratic credentials. He however charged the media industry to pave way for the attainment of the set objective. He also encouraged them to play a leading role in ensuring that message sent out to the public domain is reliable and healthy for public consumption. This, he said can be done devoid of biased reportage. Mr Woyongo expressed worry about the way the media in the region create the platform for people to make disparaging remarks about people, the government and corporate bodies. Such remarks, he advised should not be tolerated. He said whilst it is generally agreed that, the liberalization of the airwaves is meant to widen the frontiers of press freedom and by implication the deepening of culture, people who have nothing to contribute to societal welfare should not be allowed to foul the airwaves with outrageous remarks that have the potential of igniting conflict. Mr Woyongo later seized the opportunity to highlight some developmental projects to be undertaken in the region this year and mentioned the establishment of ambulance service centers in areas such as Garu, Navrongo, and Sandema with each centre to be allocated two ambulances. He also mentioned the construction and rehabilitation of the Eastern Corridor road which he said would start in earnest. One major road to benefit from the said road project is the Bolgatanga–Bawku which is in a deplorable state. In reaction to concerns raised by the media. Mr Woyongo appealed passionately to chiefs; Tindana’s and land owners in the regionto assist in releasing land for developmental project. He also urged them to take a second look at the issue of land compensation, which he noted is drawing the developmental effort of the government backwards. On sports, Mr Woyongo encouraged the people in the region to develop interest in sports by contributing to its total development. He said due to financial constraint, the only first division team in the region failed to qualify for the premiership. The promotion of the team to him will depend on the support of individuals, businesses and corporate bodies and appealed to all to assist in qualifying the team to the national level. The Regional Chairman, GJA, Mr Eric Amo for his part commended the media for contributing to the peace in the region and encouraged them to keep up with the good work. He was however not happy about the indiscriminate felling of trees within the Bolgatanga municipality and cautioned offenders to desist from the act to avoid the wrath of the media.
GBC END IA/
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