Sunyani Sept. 27, GNA - Mr. Richard D. Kambootah, head of programmes of the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in Tamale, on Friday called on media practitioners to respect the code of ethics of their profession in the performance of their duties, especially during the 7 December Election. He said that the media had a critical role to play in the decision making process and national development. Mr. Kambootah made the call at the close of a three-day workshop on decentralization and the media, jointly organized by ILGS and the German Development Services in Sunyani.

The event that was attended by 30 media personnel, aimed at equipping participants with skills needed for deepening the decentralization process and local government in the country. He cautioned journalists not to allow themselves to be used by self cantered politicians to create confusion.

Mr. Kambootah said "The media should be capable of calming the political tension in the country in order to consolidate gains made by the country in its practice of democracy and good governance". He said Ghanaians should be educated on topical national issues to enable them to demand good governance from those they had elected into government, adding, the people must measure the performance of the government to determine whether it was rendering good governance. Mr. Kambootah said the practice of rule of law, decentralization of decision making, sound public expenditure management, accountability, transparency and promotion of civil liberty and accessibility to information contributed to the attainment of good governance.

Mr. Kambootah urged the media to assist in the execution of the decentralization policy and avoid over-politicization of developmental issues. Mr. Imoro Alhassan, media director of Rural Media Network (RUMNET), observed that assembly members were critical voices of people at the grassroots since they channelled their needs for deliberations and action. He suggested that adequate remuneration be given to assembly members to boost their morale.