“The root cause of violence is religion, be it Christianity, Islamic or whatsoever. Therefore, in tackling the issue of violence, it should be devoid of it”. Nana .S. Acheampong said, as he gave his closing remarks as the chairman at a seminar organised yesterday by Yoland Amegbe, the Ambassador for the Journalist for Human Rights (JHR AUCC Chapter) in the AUCC Main Auditorium. The orange day celebration was under the theme “Elimination of Violence against Women – The role of the Media”.

Miss Jemila Akweley Okerchere of Daily Guide Newspaper and the Manager of the Radio division at the Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation, Mr Alfred Hughes, who represented the President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), Mr Roland Affair Money were the resource persons for the day.

The SRC President of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), Mr Martin Thompson Ntem, described the program as an interesting one, which revealed a lot of hitherto unknown truths.

Miss Korkor Lee – Yoo Watson, the Director of Students Affairs AUCC, commended the Miss JHR for such a laudable initiative. “I believe the theme is a good one because the media has indeed a very important role to play in the elimination of violence against women” she added.

Some of the students this reporter spoke to, expressed their satisfaction about the program and applauded the intelligence of especially the resource persons. According to Mohammed, a level 200 student, “the whole seminar was interactive and we the audience felt a part of the discussion, I really enjoyed it and will always show up again for such a seminar, and above all the refreshment was superb, I say kudos to the Miss JHR and her team”

The Miss JHR through this medium, thanked all for coming despite the short notice and for supporting the vision of eliminating violence against women. “This seminar is to welcome the big day, which is the Elimination of Violence against Women, which falls on the 25th of November 2017. I applaud the media for the reportage on violence, however I task them to go the extra mile and be more responsible in this.” She added.

Miss Ophelia Allotey, the Communications Director for JHR, encouraged women out there to break the silence and speak up when they are violated. “Your silence is as dangerous as the violence itself. Report cases of violence.

It was a bruise yesterday, today it may be an emotional challenge but who knows, you may not live to tell the story tomorrow, so speak up now when violated. Together let’s change the world and make it better, brighter and safer for all.” She urged.

Gracing the occasion were representatives from the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), Mr Martin Thompson Ntem, the SRC President of AUCC, Mr Nana Yaw Amoafo, Mrs Georgina Padi, the Women’s Commissioner of AUCC, Miss Delight Abgenyaga, External Affairs JHR, Miss Susan Lamptey, the Financial Secretary JHR, Mrs Susan Malik, SRC Welfare committee member, Mr Ebenezer Tetteh and a host of other dignitaries.