Etv raises funds for victims of Nairobi mall attack

The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Affail Monnie, has called on the media to be cautious when reporting on issues of terrorism.

He said the media should create awareness of and educate the public on extremists and not serve as a conduit through which wrong information was channelled.

Mr Monnie was speaking at a fundraising ceremony organised by Etv, in collaboration with Awake, a programme on the station, to support victims of the Kenyan mall attack.

His call comes in the wake of the Westgate Mall attack in Kenya that claimed the lives of more than 67 people, including the immediate past Chairman of the Council of State, Prof. Kofi Awoonor.

Responsibilities of the media

Mr Monnie said the Kenyan incident reinforced the need for the media to create and heighten awareness of the dangers of terrorism.

He stressed the need for the media to also help shape the minds of the people on how dangerous terrorism was, as well as join hands to combat the global scourge of terrorism, adding, “If Kenya is not safe, we in Ghana are not safe.”

Advice to AU

The Spokesperson for former President Jerry John Rawlings, Mr Kofi Adams, called on the AU to set up a high command to combat insurgencies.

Meanwhile, he said, the AU must impress it upon member states to commit more troops to combat terrorism, adding that the activities of terrorists were all over the continent.

“Terrorism anywhere is terrorism everywhere,” he stressed.

Support to the victims

The Chief Executive Officer of Global Media Alliance and Manager of Etv, Mr Edward Boateng, lauded the initiative taken by Awake and pledged his support towards what he called a worthy cause.

Dignitaries who attended the fundraising included Dr Henry Lartey, the 2012 flag bearer of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), and Mr Sylvester Mensah, the CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

The Board Chairman of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Mr Eddie Annan, commended the host of the programme, Ms Rashida Nasamu, for the wonderful initiative.

By Emmanuel Tawiah Forson & Charles Andoh/Daily Graphic/Ghana