Correspondence from Ashanti Region

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has pledged the government's commitment to a strong partnership with the media in the Ashanti Region, assuring journalists of their freedom to report without fear of reprisal.

Dr Amoakohene made these remarks while addressing the newly sworn-in executives of the Ashanti Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) during their inauguration ceremony.

The minister began by extending the government's full support to the GJA: "I want to assure the Ashanti GJA that you do have 100% support as an association in all that you do, so that you'll be able to at least attain some heights that definitely would be able to propel the union forward."

Dr Amoakohene emphasised the vital role of the media in achieving the region's and nation's development goals, stressing the need for the media to partner the government in a very productive manner so that we will be able to drive the developmental goals of the region and of the country."

He noted the government's reliance on the media to communicate its vision and policies to the public: "If we won't be able to do so as the government, we definitely will rely on the media to be able to let citizens understand the need for [our] research, what the research is about, the key indicators, and the areas that we need to firmly come together in order that we will be able to build a very bright future for the next generation."

He highlighted several key sectors requiring strong media collaboration, including education, health, business, trade, and the fight against illegal mining ("galamsey"). Dr Amoakohene pledged a new approach to government-media relations, departing from past incidents of harassment.

"I want to assure you that, unlike the past where journalists would report issues and incidents and, instead of us as a government following up to solving those problems, you'll find people chasing them to beat them, I want to assure you that the President has indicated in strong terms that media freedom is one that definitely we will not be able to trespass on and develop as a country."

The Regional Minister reiterated the government's commitment to press freedom, stating, "You have our fullest support. You are free to report and bring to light anything that bothers on the development of the country. And as a government, and a responsive one as such, we attend to every single one of them in making sure that we solve the problems as you identify and you bring to our attention."