The National Media Commission (NMC) has inaugurated NMC's Northern Regional Media Advisory Committee in Tamale.

The eight-member committee will among other things, work to ensure ethical and responsible journalism and media practice in the region and to promote peace before, during, and after the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

The committee whose members are made up of highly respected religious and opinion leaders and distinguished media practitioners in the region is co-chaired by Rev. Father Thaddeus Sory of the Northern Regional Peace Council and Dr. Tamim Abubaar of Anbariya Islamic Institute.

Other members are Dr. Eliasu Adam, Veteran Journalist and Lecturer at the Faculty of Communications and Media Studies, University For Development Studies, Hajia Hajara Issahaku Telly, Former President of the Federation of Muslim Women Associations and Albert Futukpor, Northern Regional Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

The rest are, Eric Amoh, Former Upper East Regional Chairman of the GJA, Hajia Kande Abukari of the National Commission for Civic Education, and Dr. Alhassan Musah.

Speaking at the inauguration of the committee in Tamale on Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the NMC, George Sarpong emphasized the need for the institution of the Advisory Committee in the region, noting that political competition was always intense in the area because Tamale has always produced
charismatic leaders.

“I think that there is no single town or city in this nation that can boast of a wider array of charismatic politicians like Tamale and you can look through both major political parties. That increases the intensity of competition in the region” he said.

Mr. Sarpong explained that the advisory committee would work with the management of media houses and also organize training programs for media personnel to achieve their objective of a peaceful region before, during after the elections.

He added that the media commission’s lack of linguistic capacity makes it difficult to handle complaints received from the Northern Region, saying that the advisory committee could now handle such complaints of infractions in the area.

The Board Chairman of the NMC, Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh urged media practitioners to uphold the highest standards of journalism as their own way of contributing to maintaining Ghana’s democracy.

Dr Eliasu Adam who spoke on behalf of the chairpersons of the Advisory Committee assured that they will discharge their duty effectively.

He, however, urged the NMC to provide them with all the needed resources to be able to carry out their activities effectively.