Electronic Media Monitoring: TV Shows

GTV BREAKFAST SHOW NEWSPAPER REVIEW

MODERATOR : KWAME WAJA PANELISTS : KWESI PRATT
CYTRUS DE GRAFT JOHNSON

POWER CHEAT EXPOSED – FACES PROSECUTION

INTRODUCTION

Mr. N. Khatri, an Indian national resident in Takoradi, who succeeded in cheating the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) of ?24.5 million through illegal connection has been apprehended in an operation mounted by the Company. – Daily Graphic

Pratt - I think the nationality of the man is not an issue but what is important is that he was cheating the ECG by using electricity without paying any bills. This criminal should be dealt with accordingly.

Johnson - This Indian man should pay the ?24 million to government for all the power used secretly. We should advise all these private electricians to stop cheating the ECG by engaging in illegal connections. He should be sent to court and if possible jailed.

Pratt - Some of the ministries are owing ECG. All these government agencies should pay the ECG to enable them make profit.

Johnson - Most ministries and departments are misusing energy so steps must be taken to deal with them accordingly. Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, the Energy Minister, should take steps to appeal to all these government organisations to pay back this cash to ECG. If there is a power cut in the Ministry of Trade for a week, business in that organisation will collapse immediately.

AFARI GYAN’S DOLLAR ACCOUNTS EXPOSED, AUDITOR-GENERAL QUERIES EC FUNDS IN PRIVATE ACCOUNT

INTRODUCTION

A recent investigation undertaken by the Auditor-General into financial affairs of the EC has uncovered a dollar account controlled by Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Chairman, and Kwadwo Sarfo Kantanka, Deputy Chairman of Operations, of the Commission. – The Statesman

Johnson - The Electoral Commission has an independent account. The Statesman is investigating that account.

Pratt - The account Statesman is referring to is an African Electoral Commission account but I think Dr. Afari Gyan should come out to explain that account to the public. Most people are against government establishing a procurement committee to purchase election materials for the 2004 election. The media is divided on the role of the EC in election 2004 because the Statesman is supporting government interference in EC’s activities. On the VRA saga, I think the VRA problem is just the beginning and I would advise the media to publish all the facts and stop supporting government on every issue.

EU ASSISTS AUDIT SERVICE WITH ?9 BILLION EQUIPMENT

INTRODUCTION

The European Union Technical Support has donated equipment worth ?9 billion to the Audit Service at a ceremony in Accra. - The Ghanaian Times

Johnson - It was reported in the past that the Tarkwa DCE was corrupt and mismanaging affairs but after a long investigation the story was not true. I hope the Ministry of Local Government will investigate all the 110 district assemblies in the country. Transparency International has placed Ghana in the 71st position on the corruption chart. It is a perception but government should address all the corruption charges made against ministers and DCEs, in the country.

Pratt - There are some corruption cases against many ministers which should be addressed by the President. There is also a corruption problem in the Bolgatanga District Assembly in the collection of loans without payment. Most ministers and MPs are buying new cars and building new homes. I think the Auditor General’s Department should investigate these allegations.

METRO TV GOOD MORNING GHANA

MODERATOR : RANDY ABBEY PANELISTS : EDGAR WIREDU
NANA OFORI ATTA
CAPT JOEL SOWU

4 ON AGC BOARD’S DECISION – GOVERNMENT SEEKS ADVICE

INTRODUCTION

The government has instructed its advisors to analyse the decision of the board of Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC) to recommend to its shareholders, merger offer by AngloGold. - The Ghanaian Times

Wiredu - The interest of the public should be taken into consideration.

Nana - AGC should tell the public their reasons for accepting AngloGold’s offer of a merger with Ashanti. Most people are suspicious of that agreement. The management headed by Dr. Sam Jonah should tell government the benefits from that deal.

Sowu - We should make sure that our environment is protected from illegal mining activities and the destruction of our farm lands. AGC should be in a position to pay some compensation to stool lands and farm lands in the mining areas.

EU ASSISTS AUDIT SERVICE WITH ?9 BILLION EQUIPMENT

Sowu - We should alleviate poverty in this country by building more houses for the people. We should establish schools, hospitals and create jobs for the people. Corruption can be minimized if basic infrastructures are provided in the regions and workers salaries are increased.

Nana - The poverty level in this country is creating corruption and mismanagement in the economy. Most people go to ministers and MPs for financial help. There is always pressure on big men in society to help the poor. The whole system is corrupt and the Transparency International must be advising us on the level of corruption in Ghana and the steps we must take to correct it.

Wiredu - The President should focus a little on the corruption and mismanagement in his administration in order to promote good governance. Poverty brings about corruption so the Auditor General’s Department should investigate these allegations of corruption.

TV3 MORNING TV

MODERATOR - GABRIEL
PANELISTS - FAUSTEL COFFIE
GEORGE KOOMSON

RALPH SASE

350 PUPILS DENIED USE OF CLASSROOMS – THEY STUDY UNDER TREES FOR SEVEN YEARS

For about seven years now, the pupils of Pong Tamale Local Authority (L/A) Primary School in the Savelugu/Nanton District have been attending classes under trees following the collapse of the school building in a rainstorm. – The Ghanaian Times

Faustel - The problem of lack of classrooms in the districts has resulted in students learning under trees.

Koomson - Most people are not aware of the shortage of classrooms in the districts. The Parent-Teacher Association should contribute some cash to establish classrooms for pupils. People must be innovative to create and share new ideas of improving standards in the Junior Secondary Schools.

Sase - The bureaucracy in the Civil and Education Service is responsible for the poor performance in the education sector.

MINISTRY WORKING OUT STRATEGY TO ENSURE FOOD SECURITY

INTRODUCTION

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is working out a strategic plan to facilitate land prepa-ration, harvesting and processing of food, to ensure food security in the country.

Sase - There is the need to increase production and promote storage of goods for future use. It is only rich people who are receiving the Farmers Day Award. Large-scale farming is very important.

Faustel - The problem of storage is well known. Most farmers are not getting market for their food items.

Koomson - The people are suffering in the rural areas. We should award small-scale farmers in the rural areas.

POWER CHEAT EXPOSED

Faustel - This Indian should be fast tracked in court and jailed for cheating in the consumption of electricity. Many Ghanaians are cheating the Electricity Company. They have connected light illegally to their houses and they don’t want to pay ECG.

Koomson - A proper investigation will establish the truth about the Indian. This Indian man may be a richman who has refused to pay his electricity bill and rather engaged in an illegal electricity connection.

Sase - It is a serious matter, which should be addressed by the ECG. This Indian is not a poor man so he should pay the 24 million as compensation. The churches and the religious organisations should educate and inform their congregations and society about patriotism and exhibiting morality in the country. We should send warning signals to all those who engage in illegal electricity connections in the country.