Axim, March 14, GNA - Mr Maxwell Kofi Dwuma, the Member of Parliament for Asokwa in the Ashanti Region, has said the media's obsession with politics was not healthy for the nation. He said the desire to lead the early morning breakfast and newspaper reviews by FM and television stations with political issues was stressful and unproductive.

Mr Dwuma said this at the opening of Ankobra 101.9 FM a private radio station at Axim in the Western Region on Monday. Mr Kojo Armah, the Member of Parliament for Evalue-Gwira in the Nzema East District of the Western Region, owns the 25,000-dollar station. Mr Dwuma said whereas many developed nations thrive on information on every issue and aspect of life, Ghanaians "lack the necessary information and do their things aimlessly.'' He said the knowledge, experience and expertise of the elderly, colleagues and other resource persons must be tapped for development. Mr Dwuma therefore called for a shift in focus from politics to social, health, environmental, economic and community development. Mrs Sabina Armah, the Chief Executive Officer of Ankobra FM, said though the license for the station was granted in 1998, the station started operations officially six months ago. She said the station would play an advocacy role in the fight against HIV/AIDS, poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, and community development.

Nana Yansu Amihere, the Board Chairman, said it was the first radio station for Nzemas after the GBC relay station was closed down in 1966. He said the station would focus on serving the peculiar needs of the people and produce programmes that would improve the living conditions of the people. Mrs Betty Hughes, wife of the Speaker of Parliament who chaired the function, said it was important that successful people shared part of their wealth with their communities. She appealed to the station to support the district assemblies within its catchments area to explain some of government policies to the people.

Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, the Deputy Western Regional Minister, said some of the media had not helped in eradicating illegal gold mining, chieftaincy, poverty and other social evils that confront the region. She said the media must play its watchdog role effectively to assist in the development of society. Mr Armah said it took courage, determination and sacrifice to achieve dream. He said several frustrations did not dampen his vision and advised the youth to be bold and not to give up easily on their vision.