Trust is becoming an 'endangered value in Ghana' - Peace Council

Chairman of the National Peace Council, Most Rev. Professor, Emmanuel Asante

The National Peace Council has tasked the media to help restore trust in Ghana's electoral process ahead of this year’s general election

The Eastern Regional Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr Peter Kwame Agbozorsday noted that there was so much mistrust in the country and challenged the media to address the situation and hold the country together.

Mr Agbozo was speaking at a two-day workshop for journalists and media practitioners in Ho on “Promoting responsible and peaceful electoral leadership” organised by the Legal Resources Centre.

The workshop was sponsored by the British High Commission.
Mr Agbozo said trust was becoming an endangered value in the mist of difficulties facing the country and asked the media to strategise and give hope to the populace.

“People appear discontent and there seems to be some fear. This is where we must give hope and not intensify the fear,” he stated.

Mr Agbozo urged the media to move beyond promoting debates to dialogue because dialogues create non-threatening space for all.

General Coordinator, Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA), Mr Francis Ameyibor, said the role of the media in the upcoming elections was crucial and urged practitioners to monitor and allow for transparency in the election process.

He asked them to treat statements and opinion polls with great circumspection and understand the dangers of hate speech and what to do when politicians were whipping up debates into emotional campaign.

Mr Ameyibor urged media houses to train their reporters ahead of the elections to avoid unprofessional conducts.




 

Source: GNA