Kumasi, Nov. 21, GNA - Mr. Kwame Owusu Afriyie, Member of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has appealed to the media not to paint a gloomy picture about the country but to portray its achievements.

He said the media needed to project positively the image of the country and its citizenry, saying that "we have come a long way despite the struggles and challenges." At a meeting with the media in Kumasi, he deplored the media culture of only putting the beam on the negative and dark side of certain personalities and institutions whiles they might have their positive sides as well.

Mr. Owusu Afriyie, who oversees the commission's work in the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions, said the media were a powerful tool for socio-economic development and should make a positive impact on society, in the election. The NCCE member, who is also a lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), said a balance and fair reportage is crucial to maintain the peace prevailing in the country before during and after the election. He appealed to the media to hold presidential and parliamentary candidates to their electioneering promises.