Open Letter to High Commissioner Jon Benjamin

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KOFI 8 years ago

We don't like when our own country man correct us and now an outsider has pointed out obvious issue we have and we not happy. Ghana will not change with this generation. Like Israel this generation of Ghanaian will never ente ...
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We don't like when our own country man correct us and now an outsider has pointed out obvious issue we have and we not happy. Ghana will not change with this generation. Like Israel this generation of Ghanaian will never enter the promised land.
Ralph Wrekit 8 years ago

What are you saying kofi we must protect people with integrity and journalist mostly are despite poor condition of engagement let's see what other have to say like Kwasi Pratt and kweku Bako over thetheqbassador allegations

What are you saying kofi we must protect people with integrity and journalist mostly are despite poor condition of engagement let's see what other have to say like Kwasi Pratt and kweku Bako over thetheqbassador allegations
Zoobe-Zoobe 8 years ago

no dumb excuses

no dumb excuses
Whatever 8 years ago

Ghanaweb were quick to provide platform for people to denigrate judges yet when their colleague are being exposed for Soli taking they are crying foul. My presence is on Ghanaweb but hypocrisy is not something we should encou ...
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Ghanaweb were quick to provide platform for people to denigrate judges yet when their colleague are being exposed for Soli taking they are crying foul. My presence is on Ghanaweb but hypocrisy is not something we should encourage
CORNEY 8 years ago

What are you talking about,in the first place,who finance any private media organization apart from its own resources?

Ghanaweb and other online journalists cannot be adding themselves to the list of Soli journalists in Gh ...
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What are you talking about,in the first place,who finance any private media organization apart from its own resources?

Ghanaweb and other online journalists cannot be adding themselves to the list of Soli journalists in Ghana,the issue is not about them unless they also take Soli which is the reason why they are offended,when we talk about Ghanaian journalists online journalists don't even come to mind for them to claim it is about them also,many people don't even know some of them are journalists since most of these online practitioners are not journalists and since Ghanaweb is not based in Ghana it is wrong for them to be associating themselves with the corrupt journalists in Ghana.

I don't even know if you know Kwesi Pratt and Kweku Baako are the most corrupt journalists in Ghana who follow different political parties for their selfish interests,they are the Commanders-In-Chief of the corrupt journalists.
Alhassan Walla 8 years ago

Since when did you find out that the NDC darling journalist, the defender of the rotten acts of your party is corrupt? Wonders, they say, shall never end; for it beats my mind that now the NDC stalwart, CORNEY, is admitting t ...
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Since when did you find out that the NDC darling journalist, the defender of the rotten acts of your party is corrupt? Wonders, they say, shall never end; for it beats my mind that now the NDC stalwart, CORNEY, is admitting that, Kwesi Pratt, who has sworn by his anus to defend the corrupt NDC government no matter what, is corrupt. Hmm. We hear you.

At least we know that, "birds of the same feather flock together." Thanks for telling us that one of your own is very corrupt.
Twum 8 years ago

It appears you wrote this article.your construction of words unfortunately isn't the best even though I do agree with you the HC pretend to be highly removed from the reality on ground when it comes to surviving in this count ...
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It appears you wrote this article.your construction of words unfortunately isn't the best even though I do agree with you the HC pretend to be highly removed from the reality on ground when it comes to surviving in this country.we must be thankful as a people that irrespective of the myriad of challenges we face in this country we refuse to leave for other countries.the HC must be thankful that he has the ears of journalists even though such comments are absurd and unwarranted
Douglas. Bristol-UK`° 8 years ago

this commissioner is very stupid.am sure he is influenced by ugly akufo addo to always say such foolish speeches

this commissioner is very stupid.am sure he is influenced by ugly akufo addo to always say such foolish speeches
Neutral Zone 8 years ago

Trying to justify soli. We r doomed if we think we need to justify corruption.

Trying to justify soli. We r doomed if we think we need to justify corruption.
Ibn Batuta 8 years ago

The problem with the so called 'journalists' is that the vast majority are poorly trained and hence poorly compensated.

The problem with the so called 'journalists' is that the vast majority are poorly trained and hence poorly compensated.
Abeiku SW2 London 8 years ago

Tweaaaa ...

Tweaaaa ...
Wiiwii 8 years ago

Ghanaweb defending corruption???? God save Ghana!

Ghanaweb defending corruption???? God save Ghana!
mr no nonsense 8 years ago

More fire to that man

More fire to that man
ARROW 8 years ago

You said it right, but no sensible media mogul will dole out his hard earned money to pay lazy and semi illiterate journalists as is the case in Ghana.have you taking your time to censor what some of these Journalists and the ...
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You said it right, but no sensible media mogul will dole out his hard earned money to pay lazy and semi illiterate journalists as is the case in Ghana.have you taking your time to censor what some of these Journalists and their pathetic media organisations publish as news worthy? Please Ghanaian news media and journalists are jokers, leave the ambassador alone or you can fetch the sea with a basket. Truth hurt, but that is it, is better for some of you lazy journalists do some soul searching and self evaluations.
Woman 8 years ago

The high commissioner was merely giving a background to the cartoon, i.e. that he talked about it. Those of us who understood him didn't at all think he meant you took soli from him, or that you take soli. and you want an a ...
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The high commissioner was merely giving a background to the cartoon, i.e. that he talked about it. Those of us who understood him didn't at all think he meant you took soli from him, or that you take soli. and you want an apology for this? Oh come on, you can do better than this. And you are not even located in Ghana so I wonder why you are being so defensive...
Kwame Abrokwa 8 years ago

The high commisioner is 100% right!! And U want what? Apology?.....Bullshit!!....get a life.....and give us a break!! The high comissioner, the diplomat that he is,...was too linient.....Stop taking Soli...and advise your oth ...
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The high commisioner is 100% right!! And U want what? Apology?.....Bullshit!!....get a life.....and give us a break!! The high comissioner, the diplomat that he is,...was too linient.....Stop taking Soli...and advise your other coleagues to stop. Simple! Your pay is small so what?..Nonsense!
Neutral Zone 8 years ago

English Woman. Don't explain the speech to us. We know what he meant n this soli thing has been going on for God knows when. It's just know rampant n its corruption.

English Woman. Don't explain the speech to us. We know what he meant n this soli thing has been going on for God knows when. It's just know rampant n its corruption.
Woman 8 years ago

Ghanaweb is asking for apology because of the assumption that the diplomat was tagging them as soli takers, and all I did was to say he didn't really mean that, because it appears he was giving background to why they cartoone ...
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Ghanaweb is asking for apology because of the assumption that the diplomat was tagging them as soli takers, and all I did was to say he didn't really mean that, because it appears he was giving background to why they cartooned him, i.e. regarding his comments on soli. and then you come up here to embarrass yourself further? Of course everybody knows soli is a problem that negates the quality of journalism in our country because many journalists would take money to publish the unpublishable and probably at the expense of newsworthy events.

Nowhere in my response did I suggest that soli isn't a problem. Again, just so you understand the english I wrote, I only discouraged Ghanaweb from assuming that the man was referring to them as part of those who take soli.

Tell me if you need further explanation...I teach for living, you know!
ASH 8 years ago

This man is a typical landscaper in Britain. He is enjoying in Ghana. He does not deserve any respect. Forget about him and continue your good work.

This man is a typical landscaper in Britain. He is enjoying in Ghana. He does not deserve any respect. Forget about him and continue your good work.
KT. Ansah 8 years ago

I have had to read it several times i i think point is actually to raise issues about generalisation. I think like Anas did in his scandal... the man should just mention names if he has some proof of it. It is true some cue t ...
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I have had to read it several times i i think point is actually to raise issues about generalisation. I think like Anas did in his scandal... the man should just mention names if he has some proof of it. It is true some cue to accept soli which other companies even budget for it. He should name them... Ghanaian journalists are winning award. The freedom index is clear and u still want to tarnishthe image of even the achievers.
Kwaku 8 years ago

Do some journalists take the soli that is the issue

Do some journalists take the soli that is the issue
Alhassan Walla 8 years ago

Why are you complaining? And just why are you trying to defend the indefensible? Has GhanaWeb also joined the chorus? How sad!

Let the truth be told that apart from the incorruptible and indefatigable Anas, there is no cre ...
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Why are you complaining? And just why are you trying to defend the indefensible? Has GhanaWeb also joined the chorus? How sad!

Let the truth be told that apart from the incorruptible and indefatigable Anas, there is no credible journalist in Ghana. Don't count yourself as one, for you are definitely not.

Are you not ashamed of yourself defending corruption just because some workers are paid peanuts? I don't blame you though, for you are an African who eats, breaths and lie in bed with corruption. Mr. Benjamin is absolutely right and you must deal with it.

It is said that, "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown"; how true this dictum is!
Nene Nannor 8 years ago

The GJA must outlaw soli because it amounts to extortion.

The GJA must outlaw soli because it amounts to extortion.
Ghanaian Italian 8 years ago

Douglas, afancuulu, brutana ,why do you hate this man like that. Insult your useless parents because they are cost of your arrogance.conoto,afancrogate

Douglas, afancuulu, brutana ,why do you hate this man like that. Insult your useless parents because they are cost of your arrogance.conoto,afancrogate
Papa-2 8 years ago

That guy is a loudmouth - very arrogant indeed.

That guy is a loudmouth - very arrogant indeed.
Kofi 8 years ago

Arrogant for telling the truth? Ghanaians have been baptized and confirmed with corruption so any talk against it it met with war.

Arrogant for telling the truth? Ghanaians have been baptized and confirmed with corruption so any talk against it it met with war.
Joe Turkey 8 years ago

I don't know on whose behalf you are writing when you said "we" and I wished the High Commissioner does not even see this nonsense. Hear you "what you call corruption or SOLI is just a way to survive in a country where the me ...
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I don't know on whose behalf you are writing when you said "we" and I wished the High Commissioner does not even see this nonsense. Hear you "what you call corruption or SOLI is just a way to survive in a country where the media is not financed by Government or by a Stock Exchange floating shares, but by individuals trying to balance poor revenues from advertising in a Country declared HIPC until some few months ago and with a very high operating cost ( think about the electricity for example)." THIS IS STUPID JUSTIFICATION FOR TAKING MONEY BEFORE PUBLISHING OR ASKING FOR MONEY BEFORE OR AFTER SHOWING UP AT AN EVENT. You make me feel ashamed to be a Ghanaian.
special 1 8 years ago

Mr high commissioner you are 100% right.some foolish journalist in Ghana like kwesi Pratt,abeiku Santana,Randy abbay take nokofio (soli) and predent as if they are right.not to mention that useless Ben Epson

Mr high commissioner you are 100% right.some foolish journalist in Ghana like kwesi Pratt,abeiku Santana,Randy abbay take nokofio (soli) and predent as if they are right.not to mention that useless Ben Epson
Joe Turkey 8 years ago

Couldn't Ghanaweb have done better than this. They sound as if Twitter is a place for cowboys and lunatics. Even the Pope has a Twitter account. Your own John Mahama and your Foreign Minister release important national inform ...
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Couldn't Ghanaweb have done better than this. They sound as if Twitter is a place for cowboys and lunatics. Even the Pope has a Twitter account. Your own John Mahama and your Foreign Minister release important national information through Twitter.
Akwasi Muller 8 years ago

If you stop Odwanism then probably nobody will comment.
Ghanaian journalists and your gutter journalism will not bring you respect. Fabricated stories and poor coverage

If you stop Odwanism then probably nobody will comment.
Ghanaian journalists and your gutter journalism will not bring you respect. Fabricated stories and poor coverage
Marquis 8 years ago

If this were to happen in Ghana alone then fine the High Commissioner could be right. We all know what and how News of the World operated in UK. Mr Benjamin has a problem and it is attitude.

If this were to happen in Ghana alone then fine the High Commissioner could be right. We all know what and how News of the World operated in UK. Mr Benjamin has a problem and it is attitude.
Anas #33 8 years ago

What? Are you people out of your minds? Soli is just another word for bribe, make no mistake about that. We know it, and you do too, so why do you defend it. Shame on you, Ghanaweb. Get your house in order, for the next Anas ...
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What? Are you people out of your minds? Soli is just another word for bribe, make no mistake about that. We know it, and you do too, so why do you defend it. Shame on you, Ghanaweb. Get your house in order, for the next Anas may already be targeting you.
You have been warned.

PS - Thank you British High Commission, for bringing this issue out to the public conversation.
k.k 8 years ago

Hhhmmm ghanaians will always be ghanaians. Journalist not financed by gov't does not give you the right to take SOLI. I think instead of asking for an apology, we should be magnanimous enough to accept our weeknesses and try ...
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Hhhmmm ghanaians will always be ghanaians. Journalist not financed by gov't does not give you the right to take SOLI. I think instead of asking for an apology, we should be magnanimous enough to accept our weeknesses and try to improve. If my memories serves me right, i will like to remind you that this same commissioner some time this year attacked the gov't of corruption and all of us praised him. I remember some journalist supported the commisioners assession and one example i still remember is MANASSEH AZURE of Joy Fm who wrote a very long article in support of the commisioner. So am totally at a lost of your disagreement with the commissioner this time round. KARMA
Kwabena 8 years ago

While I don't personally like some sections of the Ghanaian media, I equally do not like how wide this guy opens his mouth about internal Ghanaian matters. For a British, and a HIGH commissioner for that matter , he talks to ...
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While I don't personally like some sections of the Ghanaian media, I equally do not like how wide this guy opens his mouth about internal Ghanaian matters. For a British, and a HIGH commissioner for that matter , he talks too much almost to the point where you wonder if he is not incursing in territories even the Prime Minister would not go into. I'm glad this has been noted . May be it's time for him to be transferred somewhere else before he causes some friction between Ghana and the UK.
Mensah Abrampa 8 years ago

In Ghana everything is about the stomach so integrity and hard work get sacrificed. It used to be stomach politicians but thanks to a worsening economic growth and a depreciating currency the list is growing to accommodate jo ...
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In Ghana everything is about the stomach so integrity and hard work get sacrificed. It used to be stomach politicians but thanks to a worsening economic growth and a depreciating currency the list is growing to accommodate journalists, parliamentarians, school teachers,hospital staff, postmasters, etc, and lately judges. What's worrying however about these stomach journalists is they peddle misinformation to an under informed Ghanaian population, sometimes in poorly written language and sometimes calling a cat an elephant. What's there to report anyway since the journalists are not showing any interest in the passage of the freedom of information Bill into law that would have given them unfettered access to information but has been caught in a bumper to bumper traffic jam in parliament for10 years? Where is George Nakene, a journalist turned prisoner of conscience who went to jail in the1990s for publishing the truth? I recall vividly the statement the judge made in passing his guilty verdict: "The truth does not matter". I weep for Ghana because journalism is for the highest bidder and the men and women of the ink fraternity are now stomach journalists.
Nana Antwi corip 8 years ago

So Ghanaweb can't take criticism. Journalist, judges, police, parlimentarians, the clergy, traditional rulers, public/civil servantsto account b military and even the privatesector cannot hold govt to account bride they are e ...
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So Ghanaweb can't take criticism. Journalist, judges, police, parlimentarians, the clergy, traditional rulers, public/civil servantsto account b military and even the privatesector cannot hold govt to account bride they are either themselves orh
Nndur 8 years ago

hahahahaha why are you acting like you've been pushed thru the wall, exactly so. Hooooo shame to all of you there as so called media men & women, my foot.

hahahahaha why are you acting like you've been pushed thru the wall, exactly so. Hooooo shame to all of you there as so called media men & women, my foot.
kofi 8 years ago

It appears that the English is a bit poor. Kindly check and make necessary amendments so that we can follow the thoughts of the writer better.

It appears that the English is a bit poor. Kindly check and make necessary amendments so that we can follow the thoughts of the writer better.
atadwe 8 years ago

Even Ako te Brofo.

Even Ako te Brofo.
inercycl 8 years ago

Aside this Anas story which seems to be hanging on, most cases of corruption are reported in our papers once and the story ends.Does it not baffle anyone why these stories die away naturally? It is probable someone may have t ...
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Aside this Anas story which seems to be hanging on, most cases of corruption are reported in our papers once and the story ends.Does it not baffle anyone why these stories die away naturally? It is probable someone may have taken "soli" as he says to "quash" these stories. Otherwise how could serious cases of corruption by government functionaries just die away like that.
It is not sufficient to report a story.There has to be a beginning and an end.That is not the case most times.So he is right..... this time
SOLISOLI LIILII 8 years ago

IF YOU TAKE SOLI TO WRITE BASELESS BAIS STORIES, STOP IT BECAUSE IT'S CORRUPTION. WHERE IS ANAS IN THIS AREA?

IF YOU TAKE SOLI TO WRITE BASELESS BAIS STORIES, STOP IT BECAUSE IT'S CORRUPTION. WHERE IS ANAS IN THIS AREA?
Emma 8 years ago

Ghanaians should be grateful to this High Commissionner. What did he say? The man talked about protecting the dignity of our beloved ones who die. He talked about the so-called men of God using the media platform to extort mo ...
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Ghanaians should be grateful to this High Commissionner. What did he say? The man talked about protecting the dignity of our beloved ones who die. He talked about the so-called men of God using the media platform to extort money from the poor in society and make their plight worse. Finally he talked about SOLI or whatever. Mr writer which of these issues is not true? Our culture protect the dignity of the dead so locally we do not expose corpse being it Ashanti, Gonja, Fanti or you name the tribe. The media take pictures of dead bodies and display it which is embarrassing. Our culture don't allow that. Ghanaians don't see anything wrong with these things it take a foreigner to draw our attention to it. We should comment him. Jon loves Ghana and is a brave man.
Nii 8 years ago

Who is Jon Benjamin? Coming up to talk by heart is his stock in trade because he sees himself a slave master. I blame those who invite him to functions. Let's see this people for who they are

Who is Jon Benjamin? Coming up to talk by heart is his stock in trade because he sees himself a slave master. I blame those who invite him to functions. Let's see this people for who they are
Ben, U.S. 8 years ago

The High Commissioner is doing us a favor by exposing the rot not only your profession but in Ghana.

The High Commissioner is doing us a favor by exposing the rot not only your profession but in Ghana.
joebozy 8 years ago

Never mind this hypocritical white barbarian called him self ambassador, representing his corrupt queen, that queen have duped her subjects to amass great wealth,and her shiftless white homosexal called him British ambassad ...
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Never mind this hypocritical white barbarian called him self ambassador, representing his corrupt queen, that queen have duped her subjects to amass great wealth,and her shiftless white homosexal called him British ambassador, you known this British government are working to undermine the peace we have this country. Mr so called british ambassador ,mind your bloody business ,homosexal, shame
Ghana man 8 years ago

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS KNOWN TO UNDERMAINE progressive black government around the world, the purpose of their high commissions offices is to condianate activities to destroy our social economy political interest aroun ...
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THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS KNOWN TO UNDERMAINE progressive black government around the world, the purpose of their high commissions offices is to condianate activities to destroy our social economy political interest around the world for their minority white brother, check our history, and their black traitors who support this demonic activates, British have never support any good thing on this continental when that concerning black people, note this they are good pretenders, they are very dangerous to our Ghana interest here and abroad, and here in Ghana their activities are run on npp platform they finance anti Ghana actives led nana addo, thanks for listen.
bkg 8 years ago

is true Ghanaian journalists takes bribes look how mahama is spoiling the country but u peoples can't say anything against him u rather correct money from him n kept quiet especially Kwame Nkrumah "tik3si3' very stupid journa ...
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is true Ghanaian journalists takes bribes look how mahama is spoiling the country but u peoples can't say anything against him u rather correct money from him n kept quiet especially Kwame Nkrumah "tik3si3' very stupid journalist such an intelligent journalist like u u sell ur credibility to this useless party n j. Mahama (u see u no get any award )Ghanaians have seen ur bad doing
concerned la 8 years ago

Ghana web team????? You write terrible english for journalists. Shame !!!! use some of your soli or whatever you call it for proper english grammer lessons.

Ghana web team????? You write terrible english for journalists. Shame !!!! use some of your soli or whatever you call it for proper english grammer lessons.
Pro GHANA I A N 8 years ago

Ghanaweb! All you do is - Copy And Paste" How many own article do you have? Of all your published news stories 1% - if at all!
Ghanaweb has beside copied news nothing to offer!
If the few (unpaid) columnist withdraw publish ...
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Ghanaweb! All you do is - Copy And Paste" How many own article do you have? Of all your published news stories 1% - if at all!
Ghanaweb has beside copied news nothing to offer!
If the few (unpaid) columnist withdraw publishing at Ghanaweb - all what will be left is an empty website! Beside that, Ghanaweb is not even a Ghanaian website, but a Dutch and Dutch owned website, emerging from the (Dutch based) Ghanaian Newsrunner, 1997, and not as claimed 1994. Ghanaweb is nothing else as a scavenger, claiming to be Ghanaian.
So, please - don`t pretend, to care so much for "Press-Freedom" and "Quality" Journalism. You are not even journalists, but just simple website-fillers.
Sankofa 8 years ago

Jon Benjamin is a buffoon masquerading as a diplomat.

All he has done is to meddle in our national issues which have absolutely nothing to do with him.

He must hurry up and get out of our country!

Jon Benjamin is a buffoon masquerading as a diplomat.

All he has done is to meddle in our national issues which have absolutely nothing to do with him.

He must hurry up and get out of our country!

Open Letter to High Commissioner Jon Benjamin

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