Don’t offer platform to foment trouble – Media urged

Don’t offer platform to foment trouble – Media urged Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, BOLGATANGA 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, who was speaking at a day’s forum held in Bolgatanga and attended by chiefs, representatives of political parties, women's groups, persons with disability, security personnel said it is important at this crucial closing moments of the election petition hearing for players in the media industry to be wary of the kind of personalities and issues they raise 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 legitimacy of the 2012 presidential poll results. The forum was organized jointly by the Center for Alternative Development (CENFAD-Ghana), the BElim Wusa Development Agency, (BEWDA) and the Community Development and Advocacy Center(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. Mr Amoh cautioned media houses in the region against programming and discussions that have the tendency of igniting conflict. The Upper 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 has been sent to the highest court of the land for a pronouncement means the rule of law pertains in Ghana. He said this approach of realizing that it is the Supreme Court which should settle the election dispute should continue and all parties should accept the verdict when it is delivered and also make an effort 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 Ghanians to come to the understanding that, guns have no solution to changing leadership but rather the power of the thumb He also debunked prophesies from some men of God that sought to put fear and panic into any people that there will be mayhem when the Supreme Court pronounce its ruling and rather called on the citizenry to pray for humility and 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 will infringe on the peaceful atmosphere prevailing. Pe Joseph Afagache, Paramount Chief of Nakong who chaired the function as well as Mr Shaibu Abukabar, a member of the National Peace Council both underscored the need for Ghanians to choose the path of peace and strive hard to protect the reputation of Ghana as a peaceful country. -End- quick read The UE Chairman of GJA, Mr Eric Amoh urged the media to sieve comments by politicians which could plunge the country into turmoil. The aim o the forum was to help to sustain the current peace being enjoyed in Northern Ghana. Representatives of the NDC, NPP and PNC all pledged their commitment to peace and to educate their followers to accept the outcome of the petition.