Golden age of the media?

Sunyani (B/A), July 17, GNA- Mr. John Dramani Mahama, running mate of NDC's Flagbearer, Professor John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday dismissed the perception that the NDC is media-unfriendly and promised that an NDC government would usher in the golden age of the media. Mr. Mahama explained that although the PNDC regime was unconstitutional, it bequeathed a legacy of freedom of the press as enshrined in the 1992 national constitution, to mark a new democratic dispensation.

He was speaking at a media soiree organised by the party as part of his 10-day tour of some parts of Brong-Ahafo.

The NDC running mate, Minister of Communications in the NDC regime, emphasized that the party would lead the crusade towards protecting the media to discharge their statutory obligations satisfactorily. He expressed regret that though the 1992 national constitution offers the media the responsibility as watchdogs of society, "some media houses have turned themselves into guard dogs of the government". "It is not correct for the media to defend the government since they have no business supporting them", he added. Mr. Mahama urged media practitioners to be objective, neutral and accurate in their reportage and to highlight on issues of injustice among Ghanaians.

The NDC running mate indicated that whether or not to purchase a presidential jet or build a presidential palace was a misplaced priority by the government.

"That decision rests on the incoming President and we don't see why President Kufour should worry himself with that decision since he is just about to leave office", Mr. Mahama emphasized.

He said the decision should have been left to the in-coming government since, even if approval was given for the purchase President Kufuor was unlikely to use them.

He said the members of the NDC had "learnt their lesson and would be modest and would not lead any flamboyant lifestyles at the expense of the ordinary Ghanaian".

On the nation's oil find, Mr. Mahama said it was during the NDC era that the GNPC, under the leadership of the incarcerated Tsatsu Tsikata, former Chief Executive, begun seismic mapping that had yielded positive results.

The running mate, however, noted that the NDC government could not continue to harness and tap the resource fully because it was realised to be uneconomical to drill the oil.

"When the NDC wins back power, it will establish an oil revenue fund that would be channelled for the development of the oil community in areas as education, employment and scholarships.

Mr. Mahama stated that a proposed formula on how to distribute part of the oil revenue to all districts in the country would be forwarded to Parliament for consideration, adding, "this is to ensure that the resource is spread evenly and for the benefit of all". 17 July 08