Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, has called on students to endeavour to use the power of communication as a tool for the development of society.

“Communication, if properly and effectively used, can promote social development and harmony; and its misuse will invite conflict, chaos and parallel disagreement”, he said.

Mr Iddrisu said this while addressing students of the Wa campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in a public lecture organised by the Development Communication Students Association (DEVCOSA).

“Let us make the best, efficient and effective use of communication as a tool to facilitate social development and avoid its misuse as a weapon for creating chaos and conflict”, he said.

The Member of Parliament for Tamale South Constituency said the independence of the media must at all times be guaranteed, however, the rights and freedoms of the media were not limitless.

All the rights and freedoms are subject to national laws, limitations on the media, including matters of public morality, public interest, and matters of reputation are of paramount concern so we cannot afford to have a media that is unchecked,” the Employment and Labour Relations Minister said.

Mr Iddrisu said there was nowhere in Africa where one would find a free and fair media landscape than we have in Ghana today, adding that the over 300 licensed Radio stations were meant to give meaning and expression to the commitment of the government to freedom of speech and expression as integral to the running of democracy.

Alhaji Rashid Pelpuo, Minister of State in charge of Public Private Partnership, urged the students to learn to communicate well as it formed the basis for building effective relationships or otherwise.

Dr Musheibu Mohammed Alfa, Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, commended DEVCOSA for organizing the public lecture, adding that it would help broaden the scope of students regarding communication and development in contemporary Ghana.

Dr Domasus Tuurosong, newly appointed Head of the Department of African and General Studies (DAGs), UDS and Patron of DEVCOSA, commended Mr Haruna Iddrisu for finding time out of his busy schedule to share his experiences with the students.

Master Francis Rexford Mottey, President of DEVCOSA, said the lecture was meant to expose students to learning a few things about communication from people with great depth of knowledge in communication.