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General News of Saturday, 1 March 2003

Source: The Ghana High Commission, London

Ghanaian media deepens democratic culture

H.E. Mr Isaac Osei, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK has praised the media in Ghana for helping to deepen democratic culture in the country.

He said despite the apparent excesses on the part of a section of the media, the overall performance had been encouraging and positive.

High Commissioner Osei said the Government would do everything possible to ensure that the foundation which had been laid for the smooth operations of the media during the NPP administration, would remain undisturbed.

He, however, called on all media to exercise decorum in their presentation and endeavour at all times to cross-check every piece of information before going to the press in line with the established code of ethics of the media.

Answering questions during interaction with members of the United Nations Association of Uckfield College and Weald of Kent Grammar School for Girls near London, Mr. Osei said the Government of the NPP would continue to nurture the orderly growth of the media and would not interfere with the press which is now accepted by the majority of Ghanaians as the surest way of ensuring transparency and promoting good governance.

To a question on stability in the country, Mr. Osei said the Government would continue to protect the prevailing peace in the country and added that it was only through stability that economic growth would be guaranteed.

He noted that the new generation of African leaders are imbued with democratic values and would propel their peoples on a path that would create the necessary environment for their citizens to develop their talents in the overall interest of the society.

Mr. Osei, accompanied by Mr. F. Fritz Andoh (Minister Counsellor/Information) and Ms. Patience Kokui Tamakloe, First Secretary (Education) had earlier on briefed the students on developments in Ghana. Subjects covered centred on the political situation, education, health, tourism and the economy.

Seventeen students of Uckfield College are currently visiting Ghana. Another batch of 40 students are expected in Ghana in October this year.

The yearly visits funded through sponsorship enable the students to learn about the country, its people and cultural practices and firm up links with educational institutions in Ghana.

Arising out of questions and comments posed by some of the students who had previously visited the country, were issues relating to indiscipline on our roads, and the need to improve sanitation and health needs in the rural areas.

The visits, according to them had helped them, among other things, to learn how to avoid waste and care for the needs of others.

Vividly engraved in their minds is the hospitality of the Ghanaian people who are bracing themselves to create a better life for themselves.