Don’t offer platform to troublemakers – media urged

The Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Eric Amoh, has urged media practitioners in the region to be guided by the national interest and refuse to provide the platform for anybody with the intent of inciting people to violence.

Mr Amoh was speaking at a day’s forum held in Bolgatanga and attended by chiefs, political party representatives, women's groups, persons with disability and security personnel. He said it was important at this crucial closing moments of the election petition hearing for players in the media to be wary of the kind of personalities and issues they raised on their platforms  in order not to plunge the country into turmoil.

This call comes as the country expects the Supreme Court’s ruling on the election petition challenging the 2012 presidential poll results.

The forum was jointly organised by the  Centre for Alternative Development (CENFAD-Ghana); the BElim Wusa Development Agency (BEWDA) and the Community Development; Advocacy Centre(CODAC) ; and STAR-Ghana.

It was aimed at helping the participants to sustain the current peace being enjoyed in northern Ghana, particularly after the ruling of the Supreme Court in the election petition.

The Upper East Regional Director of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Mr Kenneth Adabayire, in a presentation on the topic "Justice and Peace for National Development and Stability"  noted that the mere fact that the challenge to an election outcome had been sent to the highest court of the land for a pronouncement meant rule of law pertained in Ghana.

He said this approach of realising that it was the Supreme Court which should settle the  election dispute should continue and all parties should accept the verdict when it was delivered  in order to keep the peace for a coherent national development and stability.

The Vicar-General of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, Rev Father Gabriel Atidoo, in a presentation made on his behalf by Mr Joseph Ayembilla, said it was important for all Ghanaians to come to the understanding that guns had no solution to changing leadership but rather the power of the thumb.

He debunked prophesies from some men of God that sought to put fear and panic into people that there would be mayhem when the Supreme Court pronounced its ruling and rather called on the citizenry to pray for humility and the grace of God to accept the outcome.

The Upper East Regional Crime Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Alex Asamoah Frimpong, said the police were fully prepared to provide protection and ensure the safety of everyone, and  cautioned politicians and members of the general public with bad intent to refrain from any act that would infringe on the prevailing peaceful atmosphere.

Pe Joseph Afagache, the Paramount Chief of Nakong, who chaired the function, and Mr Shaibu Abukabar, a member of the National Peace Council, both underscored the need for Ghanaians to choose the path of peace and strive to protect the reputation of Ghana as a peaceful country.

By Benjamin Xornam Glover/Daily Graphic/Ghana