Expose warmongers in the society, Veep to media

The vice president of the republic of Ghana, Mr John Dramani Mahama at the opening ceremony of a conference on peace organized by the Ghanaian branch of the West African Parliamentary Press Corps (WAPPC) challenged the media in Ghana and West Africa to show courage and determination and expose warmongers and institutions who pose threat to peace and security in the country.



In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Communications, Honourable Haruna Iddrissu, Mr Mahama called on the media not to relent in their effort to promote peace at all times.



To him, peace and security remains fundamental to any democratic state hence, the need for media practitioners to champion the crusade to promote peace by exposing individuals who endanger national peace and stability. He charged them to draw attention to any warning signals of conflicts in the nation, notably unsettled chieftaincy conflicts, inter and intra conflicts, ethnic tensions and unsettled political conflicts.



The conference which took place at the Accra International Centre was chaired by the chairman of the National Peace Council, Rt Rev Prof Emmanuel Kwaku Asante and also had in attendance, chairman of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan , Mr Ransford Tetteh, president of the Ghana Journalists Association as well as other members of the National Peace Council, Legislators, Ministers of Sta
te, religious leaders, ambassadors, students and journalists who operate from various legislative houses in Ghana and other parts of West Africa. The Conference was under the theme’ The Role of the Media in Ensuring peace and good Governance in West Africa’.



The vice President in his keynote address commended the initiative by WAPPC, saying that this conference could not have come at a more appropriate time than now when parts of the West African sub-region is bedevilled by conflicts and other destabilizing situations. He further urged the media to use the air waves, newspapers television screens and to educate people on dangers associated with wars and chaotic situations.



Mr Mahama again advised journalists to throw more light on people and institutions who engage in the wanton abuse of the fundamental human rights and freedom which remains veritable threat to national harmony.


In addition, he challenged the parliament press corps to avoid sensationalism and provocative journalism but rather mirror activities of members of parliament especially those that can undermine national peace and those that can promote national peace. Politicians and the public were also advised to demonstrate, cherish and be committed to peace.



In conclusion he reiterated his government’s commitment to ensure the sustain
ability of peace.‘President Mills will not fail in his moral duty to preserve and uphold the peace in the country’ I look forward to a Ghana where election will not pose threat to the peace and security of the nation but rather pass on as natural process like child birth’. He added.



The West Africa Parliamentary Press Corps is a composition of journalist who report from the floor of various parliaments in the sub –region. Its aim is to broaden the horizons of members. The Ghanaian corps was inaugurated in 2010 and has it’s dean as Mr Andrew Arthur.