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Photo Courtesy: Abod |
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Using President
Kufuor Picture? Be careful
By Gideon Sackitey, Ghanadot
Do you intend to use the President's picture? Be careful!
The Office of the President last week issued a directive,
described by many as a “fatwa” to the effect that
photographs and images from the President's meetings at home
and abroad should not be used for commercial purposes and
that indeed, they are solely for news publication purposes.
Even though the directive was for those using the images for
commercial and not news purposes, Mr John Mahama , NDC
Spokesperson of Foreign Affairs has rubbished the entire
directive saying: it was of no use to issue such directive
when there are more pressing and important issues facing the
country that must be addressed.
In an interview with a local radio station Mr Mahama said:
“There are more important things than issuing directives. He
should even thank God people are using his pictures.”
But must
people use the images for all kind of purposes, including
the most profane for financial gains, not only at the
expense of the President's personal image but also that of
the office?
The statement signed by Mr Andy Awuni a journalist, now
Press Secretary to the President, said: “Other uses
like posters, calendars, souvenir items, banners,
advertisement and any commercial products are not
permitted.”
Mr. Mahama, the Bole MP said it is
no offence to use the President’s pictures for such purposes
because he is a public figure.
He argued that it is even difficult for the Castle, the seat
of government, to determine that such pictures are coming
from the Castle or was taken by private people.
Mr Mahama asked the Presidency to focus on the energy crisis
and other problems facing the country rather than less
important things.
While the
argument that the Castle may not know where the pictures are
coming from, or may issue a "fatwa" against such usage, is
true, it is rather a far stretch to imply by that act that
the president has shifted his focus away from the energy
crisis.
The Office of the President has reminded media houses that
photographs and images from the President's meetings at home
and abroad are solely for news publication purposes.
“Other uses like posters, calendars, souvenir items,
banners, advertisement and any commercial products are not
permitted,” a statement signed by Mr Andrew Awuni, Press
Secretary to the President said.
The release also said
that should there be the need to
use any of the photos and images for commercial products,
the Office of the President should be informed.
The statement added that all photos and accompanying text
made available by the Press Secretary's Office and the
Presidential Archivist should be duly credited.
My belief is that the use of the
President’s image for negative purposes
should be the concern. But where it’s the other way
round it should be ignored.
I remember very clearly how images of former President Bill
Clinton was bandied about during the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Even those of former former President Jerry
John Rawlings’ pictures and names were
published in certain papers as some said "just for the
purpose of making sales."
Personally, if you ask me, I think the directive may not be
fully adhered to. The President is our father and President.
We want to see him all the time and various papers and
publishers would be leading the way. But
whatever the case is, we
should be careful for people not to think
that barring these images from purely commercial usage is
the same as gagging the media.
Gideon Sackitey, Accra, April 16,
Ghanadot
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