THE MAYOR for Kumasi, Hon Samuel Pyne has appealed to media practitioners to as a measure of fairness give space to leaders of agencies, government departments and public officials to explain for themselves issues that come up in carrying out their mandates.
This, he noted would help the public to judge fairly when the full issues are laid bare with the right persons giving reasons for their actions and behaviors.
Speaking at a recent Media Excellence Awards in Kumasi, the Kumasi Mayor said, “it is sad that rather than asking for why something is being carried out you find some media persons running down leaders just because they are only privy to one side of the issue”.
The Mayor said by engaging leaders and government officials in the right manner collectively they could help to develop the country.
Theme:
Dwelling on the theme of the Excellence Awards which was “Recognising the Media As Partners in National Development”, the Mayor said the government had shown commitment to the work of the media.
He noted that government had always carried the media along in policy drafting and programme implementation.
The NPP government, the Mayor stressed believes in partnering the media in its endeavours since the latter informs, educates and take feedback for development.
“This government has shown commitment to the development of media and has worked to strengthen the partnership because it believes that together they could work to better the lot of the populace”, the Mayor noted.
Ashanti GJA Chairman:
On his part, Kingsley E. Hope, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association recalled some initiatives the Association started in Ashanti including tree planting exercises.
He however noted that the Association failed to get the needed support from government to carry those initiatives through.
The trees the Association planted through its members, the Regional Chairman said were uprooted by a contractor of the site.
“We welcome the assurances from government to continue to recognise our contributions to national development and we promise to do our part”, the GJA-Ashanti Chairman stated.
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie,
Kumasi.
