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Speaking at the 12th edition of the Ghana Journalists' Association Awards Night where he received a special award for his contribution towards the development of the media,  

Ransford Tetteh, presenting citation to President Kufuor

He said government was committed to helping journalists to play their watchdog role very effectively, adding that the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law and the enactment of the Whistle Blowers bill were some policy interventions to ensure that

President Kufour said government had appointed many journalists into distinguished positions and responsibilities in view of the importance it attached to them and urged them not to neglect the fact the freedom of expression went with responsibility.

He cautioned journalists against the use of

Anas Amiraya, journalist of the year, The Crusader

Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, speaking on the theme: "Ghana @50, Safeguarding Democracy Through the Media," called on journalists to reflect on their profession and work as prophets carrying good news to liberate the oppressed, set captives free, as well as bring hope to the poor.

"You should see the 'word' as an active instrument which could produce good or deadly results."

Archbishop Palmer-Buckle said as the "Fourth

Amiraya receiving the award fromUniv. of Ghana rep.

"The media practitioner in Ghana today must be a person who is guided by nobility and quest for virtue, particularly by the supreme good of the people to whom he or she has been sent".

He said the media should revisit its core duty of informing and transforming the individual, as well as, the society, adding that, it was its duty to aid all other institutions to form, inform and transform the human capital of the country.

Archbishop Palmer-Buckle noted the passing away of Ghana @ 50 and called on the Ghanaians to rethink of how the nation could be shaped for the better in the next decades.

Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, Member of Council of State, who chaired the event, called on journalists to exhibit high journalistic standards.

She called on the GJA to work hand-in-hand with other organizations such as National Media Commission to ensure good practices.

Mr Ransford Tetteh, President of GJA, said despite numerous challenges the practice of journalism faced, journalists would work hard to hold the public accountable to ensure good governance.

He appealed to journalists to be circumspect in their reportage particularly as the country enters a very hot political campaign period next year.

Mr Tetteh urged policy makers to widen their frontiers to the media through the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill to enable it play its watchdog role very effectively.

He urged the media to continue to work at finding solutions to social problems such as diseases and poverty to alleviate the suffering in society.

Mrs Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Minister of Information and National Orientation, called on journalists to improve their knowledge and expertise, adding that it was the only way Ghanaian journalism could assume its rightful place as a regulatory mechanism.

GNA
 

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