President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday called on media practitioners to be nationalistic in their approach to duty to enhance the co-operation the government requires to fulfil the social needs of the people.

He said his government respects the freedom of the press but the expression of this freedom should promote the national interest.

President Kufuor was speaking during a meeting with a six-member delegation of International PEN who called on him at the State House.

Dr Terry Calborn, International Secretary of PEN, an association that includes poets, editors and novelists to promote literature and defend freedom of speech and expression led the delegation.

President Kufuor said while he is very proud of the sense of initiative and dedication of the private media, his administration would frown on any media practice that would undermine the development of the country.

"...The private media should be commended for contributing to the present political situation in the country." President Kufuor commended International PEN for extending its activities to Ghana and called for support for the Ghana Centre to spread its activities to all parts of the country. He pledged the government's support in that direction.

Dr Calborn said Ghana is enjoying the highest level of press freedom, which is a model for other African countries. He said the country has a lot to be proud of especially, the success of the recent general election, which has placed Ghana at the centre stage of democracy.

Mr Calborn said International PEN is operating in the Upper East and Upper West regions where it is unearthing the potential of the youth, especially in literature, adding that with these immense resources at the disposal of the country, the future is very bright.

Other members of the delegation were Dr Vincent Magombi, the only African serving on the International Executive Committee of International PEN and Frank Mckay, President of the Ghana centre.

The rest were Mr Haruna Atta and Frank George Asmah, Vice Presidents and Mr Frank Asare Donkor, Secretary.