Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh and Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa unveiling a plaque of sponsors and donors of the project
Chairman
of the National Media Commission (NMC) Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh has cautioned the
media in the country not to abuse the freedom of the press they are currently
enjoying.
According
to him, inasmuch as Ghana’s constitution assures freedom of expression “…the
exercise of freedom must be done with corresponding obligations and
responsibilities.”
Mr.
Boadu-Ayeboafoh gave the caution in Ho, the Volta Regional capital, when he
joined other dignitaries to commission the Press Centre of the Volta Regional chapter
of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
The
region is the first to institute regional awards for the media, and this new
project also makes the region the first to have a press centre apart from the
national one.
The
NMC chairman, who commended the regional body for the feat, advised media
practitioners to ensure they exercised their freedoms with circumspection and
not use it to destroy reputations or settle scores.
Quoting
Lord Denning, Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh stressed, “The freedom of the press is
extolled as one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty. It is entrenched in the
constitutions of the world. But it is often misunderstood. It does not mean the
press is free to ruin a reputation or break a confidence or to pollute the
course of justice or do anything that is unlawful.”
Elizabeth
Ohene, a former Minister of State who chaired the occasion, said inasmuch as
there should not be any form of obstruction against the media in the discharge
of their work, the media should ensure what they put out does not cause
“irreparable damage” to people.
Ms
Ohene who is a veteran journalist of international repute praised the Volta GJA
for the initiative and encouraged members to set the right agenda to transform
the country.
The
National President of the GJA, Roland Affail Monney, said the historic feat of
the Volta chapter was “fruit of quality, progressive, and dynamic leadership”.
The
Press Attaché at the United States Embassy in Ghana, Naomi Matto, encouraged
journalists in the country to ensure their freedom of expression is used to
empower citizens so they could better hold governments accountable and
influence the development of the country.
The
Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, said government has always
shown commitment to press freedom and media development, hence the release of
land for the project.
Chairman
of GJA-Volta, Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi, expressed gratitude to all who
supported in making the “impossible possible”, especially media practitioners
and media houses in the region.
Pix
saved as Ayeboafo in newdaily
2019
Pictures 1 Shows NMC Chairman Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh and Volta Minister Dr. Yaw Archibald Letsa unveiling a Plaque of Sponsors and Donors of the Project.
From Fred Duodu, Ho ([email protected])
The post Freedom Of Expression Not Licence To Destroy – NMC Boss appeared first on DailyGuide Network.
