Kumasi, Oct. 22, GNA - The National Media Commission (NMC), has open= ed an office in Kumasi, the first of its kind to be set up outside Accra, to=

help raise professional standards among journalists in the Northern Secto= r. Funded through German support, the setting up of the office would enable the Commission to act swiftly on complaints against media personne= l, to effectively monitor and encourage good journalistic practices, given t= he proliferation of the media outlets. Mr Paul Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman of the Commission, said the Ghanaian media had contributed significantly to the country's socio-economic and political development of Ghana. He said the NMC had lived up to expectation and helped to ensure transparent and credible elections, good governance and the rule of law. Mr Adu-Gyamfi condemned self-seeking journalists and said the=

Ghanaian media had come of age and parishioners should avoid pedalling unfounded allegations, defamation of character and sensationalism. Mr. Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo, General Manager in charge of Newspapers at t= he Graphic Communications Group Limited, expressed dissatisfaction that successive governments have neglected the NMC. He said the Commission should be well-resourced to enable it to deal=

expeditiously with complaints, monitor the work of journalists to maintai= n professional standards and to educate the public on their civic responsibilities. Nana Boakye Ansah Debrah, Chief of Asokore Mampong in Kumasi, urged journalists to report more on development issues and problems confronting=

the society for prompt solution to improve the living standards of the people.