Sekondi, Jan 2, GNA - The government is on course and determined to make life better for the people.
This is evident from the relatively short period that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been in government, Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, has said.
He said what was needed now was unity and cooperation from all sectors of society and institutions, particularly the media to entrench democratic governance for accelerated development.
The Regional Minister was speaking at a soiree organised by the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) for media practitioners in the region at Sekondi on Saturday.
He noted with satisfaction that even though most of the media houses were faced with a lot of constraints, they had proved to be true partners in development.
Mr. Aidoo, however, spoke against sensationalism, over politicisation of issues and half-truths, which he said destroyed the image of some hardworking people.
He also warned against what he called "the emergence of media tyranny", a situation the Regional Minister noted could destroy the country's young democracy and the media itself.
Mr. Aidoo advised Journalists to be circumspect in their reportage and to make unity, peace and development their agenda by reporting only the truth.
He mentioned a number of roads that had been completed, those under construction and ones that had been awarded on contract for reconstruction and said some of the problems associated with roads in the region would soon be a thing of the past.
The RCC in collaboration with the Regional Security Council and the Regional House of Chiefs had initiated moves to iron out differences among Chiefs to pave way for permanent peace and unity to ensure development.
Chieftaincy disputes that resulted in violence and polarise communities were a source of concern because of their adverse effects on development programmes and policies of the government, Mr. Aidoo noted. He said the government had released 10 Billion Cedis for a Cocoa Farmers Housing Scheme to commence this year.
Mr. David Yaro, Regional Coordinating Director, told the Journalists that the doors of the RCC were always opened for information and advised them to guard against always looking for the negative sides of issues, saying, "You must also praise when praise is due".
Mr. Frank Mochia, Chairman of the Western Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association, said members would accept criticisms with open minds and continue to support the RCC to move the region forward. 02 Jan 06