Catholic Church inaugurates association of media practitioners

Accra, Aug. 10, GNA - The Catholic Church of Ghana on Sunday gave birth to a new association that would seek to bring Catholic media practitioners together to foster truth, objectivity in the journalistic profession and promote healthy working relations between the Church and the state.

The Association, known as the "Catholic Association of Media Practitioners -Ghana (CAMP-G)" was to replace the Guild of Catholic Journalists with a new and a deeper emphasis on reporting the truth always.

Inaugurating it, Archbishop Dominic Andoh, of Accra challenged the seven- member executive body to, not only report of the truth about other people but must themselves be of good repute to able to point the faults of others.

"If you are going to write or preach about people, then you must live a certain level of holiness to be able to speak well against the evils of others around you, knowing that you are going to be Christ's witnesses," he said.

Archbishop Andoh urged them to see the need for the gospel truth to be spread everywhere, saying, "You have to recognize this, because if Jesus Christ was to be alive, he would have relied on the media to propagate the preaching of the word of God.

He told the executives to recognize the trust reposed in them and work hard to ensure that the aims of the Association were brought into fruition.

Dr. Godfred Kwasi Annoh, President of the Association pledged, on behalf of the executive members, their fullest support and co-operation to the pastoral work and be proactive and effective communicators.

He said branches of the Association would be set up in various diocesans in the country to ensure effective and efficient discharge of their duties, through proper collaboration.

Dr Annoh said, with so much evil, misunderstanding and intolerance in the country, Christian communicators were placed in a position to promote authentic peace in homes and workplaces.

"Let us therefore, think positively, think of our fellow beings when we as Christian communicators write stories affecting people's lives. "We must be very objective in our presentations and writings and be sure of our facts. If we are in doubt of our facts, please don't rush to publish because that is dangerous and unethical and such arbitrary actions could destroy one's reputation," he said.

Dr Annoh said the world needs truth and it is only the truth that would set people free.

The other six executive members are, Mr Michael Nyaku, Vice-President, Mr Mawuli Kwuku Dzramado, Secretary, Mr Albert Salia, Assistant Secretary, Ms Josephine Naaeke, Financial Secretary and Mrs Getrude Eunice Maasodong, Treasurer. 10 Aug. 03