Government is committed to cordial press relationship- Deputy Minister

Tamale, Aug.31, GNA- Mr. James Agyenim-Boateng, Deputy Minister of Information has reaffirmed governments' commitment to maintain a cordial and healthy relationship with the press to deepen the country's nascent democracy.

Mr. Agyenim-Boateng said since the NDC assumed office, it has cooperated with the press and given the necessary logistics to facilitate its independence and also promote press freedom adding, at the level of the Presidency, representatives of all media houses were now accredited and had access to the President.

The Deputy Minister of Information gave the assurance at the Northern Regions "Meet the press" series organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Information in collaboration with the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in Tamale on Monday.

Mr. Agyenim-Boateng, who was answering a question on the relationship between the government and the media said, it was unfortunate that the perception was being created that the NDC as a government was not very friendly to the media, saying that he was a media person and therefore wondered how this could be so.

Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister, who responded to questions on the activities of NDC foot soldiers, said the RCC would no longer tolerate the acts of lawlessness and indiscipline being perpetrated by the foot soldiers and would ensure that the security services dealt with them appropriately.

Speaking specifically about the recent disturbances of foot soldiers in the Karaga district against the nomination of a District Chief Executive for the area, he said a reinforcement of security personnel had been sent to the area to maintain peace and order.

He warned that all those involved including the district executives of the party would be arrested to serve as a test case for others who contemplate similar actions.

On the destructive activities of Fulani herdsmen and their cattle in the region, Mr. Mabengba said the issue was a complicated one and noted that some chiefs were condoning to the extent that in some traditional areas "chiefs in-charge of Fulani affairs" had been appointed.

He said the RCC had however formally written to government on the issue and was awaiting response as to how to deal with the menace of the Fulani herdsmen.