Graphic consoles Times; MD appeals for safety of journalists

Media stakeholders have been advised to use the event of Mr Samuel Nuamah’s death to right things that put media players, particularly journalists, at risk in the discharge of their duties.

Mr Nuamah was the presidential correspondent of the Ghanaian Times who died in a road crash at Doryumu Junction, along the Shai Hills in the Greater Accra Region, on August 20, 2015.

The fatal accident happened while the presidential convoy was returning from an official assignment in Ho.

Eleven other presidential correspondents from other media houses who were on the vehicle sustained various degrees of injuries.

The Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Kenneth Ashigbey, gave the advice yesterday when the board and management of the GCGL visited the New Times Corporation (NTC) to commiserate with the management and staff following the mishap.

The delegation, including Mr Emmanuel Anyang Abeka and Mr Akwasi Owusu Agyemang, both board members, Mr Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh, Director of Newspapers, GCGL, and other management staff of the GCGL, was led by Mrs Joyce Osei Agyekum, a board member.

Mr Ashigbey said even though accidents were inevitable, considering that travelling was an integral part of the operations of media players, stakeholders needed to put in place measures to ensure that in the event of such unforeseen circumstances, the impact would be minimised significantly.

Review media operations

Mr Ashigbey also called for a review of the operations of the media, to ascertain possible risk factors so that intervention measures could be instituted.

Consoling the staff and management of the NTC, he said the GCGL shared in their pain because the company had suffered similar losses in times past.

While he called for more prayers and support for the other journalists who were still on admission, Mr Ashigbey encouraged the staff and management to be steadfast in these challenging moments.

In her remarks on behalf of the board, the acting chair, Mrs Osei Agyekum, pledged that the GCGL would support the NTC in preparation towards the burial of the deceased and even beyond.

“Your loss is our loss notwithstanding the fact that we are competitors. It is a tragic loss for the inky fraternity, particularly the state-owned media, and we would support you all the way through,” she said.

Fund for wife and child

In her welcome remarks, the Managing Director of the NTC, Ms Carol Annang, said the corporation was in the process of instituting a fund to raise financial support for Mr Nuamah’s wife and his two-year-old son.

She said there would be an official announcement when the fund was set up.

She, therefore, called on the public, particularly media players, to support the fund as a demonstration that “we are capable of helping ourselves in unforeseen circumstances and our love for each other”.

Ms Annang led the delegation to the Editorial department where a book of condolence had been opened for individuals to express their condolences.
Writer’s email Doreen.andoh@graphic.com.gh