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Government will promote respect for human rights, champion
the rule of law
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot
Accra, Aug 16, Ghanadot -
Vice President John Dramani Mahama has underscored the
commitment of the Mills administration to uphold the
constitution, promote respect for human rights and champion the
rule of law.
“In this regard I wish to call on the security agencies in their
investigations into any allegations of corruption or abuse of
office by public office holders to exercise respect for the
rights of the individuals they are investigating and carry out
their work within the strict parameters of the constitution and
the laws of Ghana.
“In the same vein I wish to call on political parties and other
interest groups to exercise restraint and avoid obstructing the
security agencies in the performance of their legitimate
duties.”
The vice president was speaking as Guest of Honour at the 14th
Awards Night of the Ghana Journalists Association in Accra,
under the theme, Media – Promoting Dialogue, Mutual
Understanding and National Unity. The awards also marked the
Diamond Jubilee (60th Anniversary) of the formation of the GJA.
Thirty-six persons and media organizations were celebrated for
achieving media excellence or contributing to the promotion of a
vibrant Ghanaian media, with Kofi Akordor of the Daily Graphic
winning Journalist of the Year 2008, while Joy 99.7 FM’s Super
Morning Show was adjudged the Best Morning Show 2008.
Vice President Mahama announced government’s intention to
convene a conference to examine the constitution and to identify
any parts of it that require review of or amendment, saying that
even though the constitution has served the nation well in the
significant progress it has made in pursuing democratic
governance, “it needs to be a living document.”
He said to be a living document, some aspects of the
constitution need at certain periods in its life to be amended.
“This is why government intends to sometime early next year to
convene a conference to examine the constitution and identify
any parts of it that require review or amendment. This process
will be open and transparent and will involve all political
stakeholders,” he assured.
Uphold constitution
John Mahama said any amendments necessary; either to entrenched
or non-entrenched provisions would be affected strictly in
according with the dictates of the constitution.
The Vice President described Ghana’s media landscape as one of
the most vibrant on the continent and with about 60 newspapers
and 150 FM stations across the country, he said the media in
Ghana can be said to have fully blossomed.
"Advancements in ICT are on the brink of revolutionarizing TV
broadcasting. Digital satellite broadcast is on our doorsteps
and the current entry of Multi TV and other free on air players
will in the next few years completely change the face of the
television media as we have known it.”
He said while the media cannot achieve perfection, we cannot
also stop trying and charged the media to stand up for justice
and truth, reminding all that in spite of the achievements there
is a lot that needs improving in promoting accuracy, fairness
and truth.
“There is corruption in the media just as there is in government
and society. While we shine the spotlight of accountability on
our president, the police, custom officers, parliamentarians,
the judiciary etc, we must subject ourselves to the same
measure”.
The vice president commended the leadership of the GJA for their
leadership in a tumultuous media landscape and said government
planned sending the Freedom of Information Bill to Parliament
for its consideration when the august house reconvenes.
Ghanadot
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