Black Stars have taught politicians a lesson- Minister

Accra, July 12, GNA- The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Kwamena Bartels on Wednesday admitted that politicians have willfully failed to unite Ghanaians behind the national flag until the excellent performance by the Black Stars at the just ended FIFA World Cup.

He therefore urged Ghanaian to keep the national flag flying as a sign of patriotism and as a sense of unity, saying, "these boys have oriented all of us beyond our wildest imagination".

Delivering a lecture at the 2006 Institute of Public Relations, Ghana Week Anniversary in Accra on the theme: "Managing the Image of Corporate Ghana", Mr Bartels echoed the need for politicians to desist from unnecessary political machination, whipping up ethnic sentiments and unite to build an image befitting the country as peaceful, democratic and one that respected the rule of law.

He noted that it was only the magnificent performance of the Black Stars that had seemingly subsided the daily noise about the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress and halted the deliberate pitching of one tribe against the other.

Mr Bartels said managing the image of the country should not be the sole responsibility of government but involved the commitment of all Ghanaians both home and abroad to maintain it as free just and democratic nation.

"There is no doubt that Ghana is seen as peaceful, stable and democratic premised on the core principles of rule of law and respect for the fundamental human rights and good governance", he added. He said the rationale behind government national orientation programme was to ensure that Ghanaians were united, fight for a common national course and live together, irrespective of tribe and origin. "We intend to educate the people through various forums to change their negative attitude towards work, protect national heritage and cultivate maintenance culture to prevent edifice from deteriorating", Mr Bartels advised the people to be proud of using made- in- Ghana products and charged the media to speak well of the country to enhance her corporate image.

He said government desired to build a prosperous country, creating enabling environment for the owning of properties to minimize crook means of earning a living.

Mr Bartels noted the corporate Ghana have had chequered history and could not achieve economic independence due to experimentation of various economic models.

He noted that government was on course and would ensure that Ghanaians felt at home and did business to earn decent living and make the country attractive to the outside world.