Kumasi, Sept 28, GNA - The Convention People's Party (CPP) has lauded 'The Pioneer', Ghana's oldest independent newspaper for its immense role in sustaining Ghana's democratic dispensation. Mrs Yvonne Nduom, wife of Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, the CPP flag-bearer said this when she paid a working visit to the offices of the Abura Printing Press, publishers of 'The Pioneer' in Kumasi at the weekend. The visit formed part of Mrs Nduom's campaign tour of the Ashanti Region to solicit votes to augment the flag-bearer's presidency in the December elections.

It also aimed at affording her the opportunity to come to terms with the achievements and challenges facing the newspaper. Mrs Nduom, accompanied by the hierarchy of the women's wing and some leading members of the CPP noted that, "since the establishment of the newspaper some 69 years ago, it had come under the barrage of numerous political and socio-economic challenges. And yet it had managed to keep its composure and policy direction in the dissemination of information which had enhanced the nation's progress".

She said it was high time media practitioners stood up to the challenges associated with their profession to promote free and fair reportage of activities of the political parties. This, she said, was crucial to ensure peaceful elections while also strengthening the public's confidence in the media. Mr Johnson Gyampoh, Editor of the 'Pioneer' who welcomed Mrs Nduom and her entourage, commended her for the concern she had shown in the paper's activities.

He said many politicians had in the past made promised to provide the paper with state-of-the-art equipment to facilitate the work but did not fulfil them. Mr Gyampoh said the newspaper had since time immemorial been fair in their reportage to all political parties and would continue to uphold this principle. 28 Sept. 08