THE frequent power outages, sometimes resulting in fire outbreaks in homes and offices, have become a source of worry to many users of electrical power.
Indeed, over the last few years electricity has done considerable damage to household items, public and private buildings.
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has, time and again, spoken about the challenges facing it in the distribution of power to all parts of the country.
It has told the public about the overloaded sub-stations in various parts of the country, making it difficult for it to supply power to the ever-growing population.
Besides, almost all the cities and major towns and even villages are expanding beyond their seams, thereby over-stretching the facilities of the ECG.
Looking at the physical development process throughout the country, it appears that our actions are feeding into the popular saying that “if your fail to plan, you plan to fail”. This is because physical or spatial development activities in the cities are not following any laid down plans or regulations.
The mood of consumers is not a pleasant one, especially relating to the attitude towards the ECG in recent times. To many consumers, the company does not bother itself about the plight of its customers because it does not inform them about any intended disruptions, and if disruptions are caused by technical faults, customers are not alerted.
Individuals and organisations are incurring extra cost in the running of their businesses because they have to buy generating sets as standby in case power goes off. It is very irritating when power goes off many times without a single word from officials of the ECG.
The Daily Graphic thinks what has become more disturbing is the fact that many of the recent fire outbreaks have been attributed to electrical faults.
Although it is yet to be established that power cuts are responsible for the fire outbreaks, it is about time the government enforced the regulations and standards in electrical installations in public, commercial and residential facilities in the country.
The DAILY GRAPHIC does not expect an immediate end to the frequent power cuts. However, what is reassuring is the decision by the Accra West Directorate of the ECG to engage various stakeholders in the Accra metropolis to find ways by which the frequent power cuts can be addressed.
Addressing the stakeholders, Alhaji Dauda Alhassan Jangu, the Accra West Director of the ECG, noted that it was facing problems which it needed to share with its customers and that it had put in place programmes to enable customers to access quality power.
For once, the ECG is being proactive in taking the problems to its customers, so that they can understand the present challenges and see how they can adjust to the circumstances.
The ECG did not treat its customers very well in the past, for which reason this latest move by the Accra West Directorate should be taken with a pinch of salt. After all, it is said, “Beware of the Greeks when they come with gifts.”
The only way the ECG can regain the confidence of its customers is to offer efficient and reliable services to its customers.
As things stand now, the company has lost all its goodwill and the only way it can regain it is to work hard to resolve the challenges.
The DAILY GRAPHIC knows that the task of solving the problems is quite Herculean but it can be done if the workers rededicate themselves to rendering dedicated services to the people.
We also appeal to consumers to honour their obligations to the ECG in a timely manner so that it can have the resources to provide reliable and efficient power for the people, as well as extend power to under-served areas.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
AVOID 'WATER POLITICS' (MARCH 2, 2010)
Water, they say, is life, and for this reason everybody places the greatest premium on water, as well as its sources.
It is one resource that has no substitute, compelling people to travel long distances for water for drinking and other domestic uses.
The basic necessities of life are food, shelter and clothing, but without water life will not be worth living on earth.
All over the world, due diligence is paid to the provision of potable water because many water-borne diseases, such as bilharzia, cholera, diarrhoea and dysentery, affect the people as a result of their reliance on untreated water.
Governments, therefore, spend huge portions of their resources on the provision of potable water for the people to avoid the outbreak of water-borne diseases.
When the taps are not running in the cities and urban centres, residents go through harrowing experiences to get water. In cases where that is not possible, they rely on water from gutters, ponds and streams that are heavily polluted.
This explains why the importance of water in the daily endeavours of the people cannot be toyed with.
Majority of Ghanaians, therefore, raised serious concerns yesterday when water sachet producers decided to increase the price of their product, in conformity with Act 787 which imposed ad-valorem excise tax on “distilled, bottled and other packaged water”.
Following the adjustment, the vendors of sachet water on the streets of Accra and other places in the country also decided to raise the price by 100 per cent, generating furore among patrons of the product.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has explained that Act 787, which imposes the tax, takes effect on Monday, March 1, 2010 but the implementation of the new tax regime does not include sachet water.
All that the Daily Graphic can say to this explanation is that it is well said and our hope is that the explanation will lay to rest the confusion on the streets of our cities and towns over the new price of sachet water.
We think, from our lay man’s point of view, that the inclusion of packaged water in the law may be the source of the confusion.
Already, some officials of tax-collecting agencies think that the law, as presently crafted, gives room for the collection of taxes on sachet water.
The Daily Graphic is, however, of the view that once the sector ministry has explained the rationale behind the law, the matter over taxes on sachet water should be laid to rest.
But we know that in our society when prices go up, operators are not willing to reduce them when the situation changes.
That is why the Daily Graphic encourages the Ministry of Finance to continue to engage the stakeholders and operators of the sachet water business in discussions to arrive at an amicable resolution of the challenge.
For, it will not be out of place to hear the operators begin to shift the goal post in order to engage in new arguments that because of the challenges with the supply of water and electricity, as well as the high cost of running their vehicles, they cannot reduce the price of sachet water.
If need be, the Ministry of Finance should refer the act back to Parliament with the intention of removing the grey areas from it in order to make for its smooth implementation and avoid creating any social tension
There are many challenges confronting the government in delivering on its social contract with the people and we should not allow the stakeholders to engage in ‘water politics’ to create disaffection for it.
The Daily Graphic also appeals to the operators of the water sachet business not to unjustifiably adjust the price of sachet water upwards because that is not what the law intends to achieve.
Water is precious to the sustenance of life and nothing should be done to make it unaffordable to the ordinary person.
It is one resource that has no substitute, compelling people to travel long distances for water for drinking and other domestic uses.
The basic necessities of life are food, shelter and clothing, but without water life will not be worth living on earth.
All over the world, due diligence is paid to the provision of potable water because many water-borne diseases, such as bilharzia, cholera, diarrhoea and dysentery, affect the people as a result of their reliance on untreated water.
Governments, therefore, spend huge portions of their resources on the provision of potable water for the people to avoid the outbreak of water-borne diseases.
When the taps are not running in the cities and urban centres, residents go through harrowing experiences to get water. In cases where that is not possible, they rely on water from gutters, ponds and streams that are heavily polluted.
This explains why the importance of water in the daily endeavours of the people cannot be toyed with.
Majority of Ghanaians, therefore, raised serious concerns yesterday when water sachet producers decided to increase the price of their product, in conformity with Act 787 which imposed ad-valorem excise tax on “distilled, bottled and other packaged water”.
Following the adjustment, the vendors of sachet water on the streets of Accra and other places in the country also decided to raise the price by 100 per cent, generating furore among patrons of the product.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has explained that Act 787, which imposes the tax, takes effect on Monday, March 1, 2010 but the implementation of the new tax regime does not include sachet water.
All that the Daily Graphic can say to this explanation is that it is well said and our hope is that the explanation will lay to rest the confusion on the streets of our cities and towns over the new price of sachet water.
We think, from our lay man’s point of view, that the inclusion of packaged water in the law may be the source of the confusion.
Already, some officials of tax-collecting agencies think that the law, as presently crafted, gives room for the collection of taxes on sachet water.
The Daily Graphic is, however, of the view that once the sector ministry has explained the rationale behind the law, the matter over taxes on sachet water should be laid to rest.
But we know that in our society when prices go up, operators are not willing to reduce them when the situation changes.
That is why the Daily Graphic encourages the Ministry of Finance to continue to engage the stakeholders and operators of the sachet water business in discussions to arrive at an amicable resolution of the challenge.
For, it will not be out of place to hear the operators begin to shift the goal post in order to engage in new arguments that because of the challenges with the supply of water and electricity, as well as the high cost of running their vehicles, they cannot reduce the price of sachet water.
If need be, the Ministry of Finance should refer the act back to Parliament with the intention of removing the grey areas from it in order to make for its smooth implementation and avoid creating any social tension
There are many challenges confronting the government in delivering on its social contract with the people and we should not allow the stakeholders to engage in ‘water politics’ to create disaffection for it.
The Daily Graphic also appeals to the operators of the water sachet business not to unjustifiably adjust the price of sachet water upwards because that is not what the law intends to achieve.
Water is precious to the sustenance of life and nothing should be done to make it unaffordable to the ordinary person.
LET'S RESTORE THE RAILWAY SYSTEM NOW
ONE refreshing piece of news in the State of the Nation Address delivered by President J. E. A. Mills last Thursday was the decision of the government to fast-track investment in the rehabilitation of the Western railway corridor.
The investment in the railway project, as well as deep sea port, with a dedicated oil services facility, would not only, as the President said, create significant employment themselves, but would also support the growth of other industries.
Many of our people have very fond memories of the safety and efficiency of the railway system in the immediate post-independent Ghana till about the mid-1970s.
The mention of the challenges in the railway sector to such people, especially those above 50 years, leads them to develop nostalgia because of the total deterioration of the railway system, once the pride of the entire nation.
Even to a section of the younger generation, the railway system represented the best in the movement of goods and people from areas served by the rail road.
Whenever news of the rehabilitation of the railway sector is made public, those who enjoyed the services of the system in those "good old days" recall the era of the "rail romance".
It was a lot of fun to travel by train when "sleeper" trains, otherwise known as "blue-blue", were introduced and the passengers were provided with absolute comfort during their travels, especially at night.
The railway sector itself has a rich history in trade unionism in the country because of the role the railway sector played in labour activism from their base at "Bottom Tree" in Sekondi-Takoradi.
The Daily Graphic will be first to admit that all is not well with the railway system in the country. A few of the services that are still operating through the ingenuity of the workers are not as reliable as they used to be in the so-called heydays.
That the railway system is a pale shadow of itself today may be an understatement. The various railway stations that used to be centres of brisk business are all in a state of disrepair. Major portions of the eastern corridor of the railway lines are overgrown with weeds.
Our governments have tried to revive the railway system but so far, action has been slow. A few years ago, the major portions of the Achimota-Tema Rail Road were rehabilitated and inaugurated amidst pomp and pageantry but the excitement died down soon after because the expectations could not be met.
In spite of the challenges in the sector, a few of the services being operated are highly patronised by the travelling public. The shuttle services from Accra to Nsawam and Accra to Tema are over-subscribed by passengers, especially workers and traders.
The huge patronage of these limited services sends very loud messages to the authorities that we cannot do without rail transport and the need to re-shape it to meet the expectations of the travelling public is without question.
The railway system is the means of transport of choice in all societies, including even the advanced ones, because it is reliable and safe. Working people and other adults in other spheres of endeavour will give very good testament of the railway system in the 1960s. Besides the safety guidelines observed by the officials, it hardly failed those in need of its services.
Every system has its merits and demerits but a trip down memory lane indicates that society tends to gain if more resources are directed at the rehabilitation of the railway sector.
The Daily Graphic, therefore, encourages the government to explore the opportunities available to restore the railway sector to its good old days when it was both fun and pleasure to travel by train. Nothing must stand in our way.
The investment in the railway project, as well as deep sea port, with a dedicated oil services facility, would not only, as the President said, create significant employment themselves, but would also support the growth of other industries.
Many of our people have very fond memories of the safety and efficiency of the railway system in the immediate post-independent Ghana till about the mid-1970s.
The mention of the challenges in the railway sector to such people, especially those above 50 years, leads them to develop nostalgia because of the total deterioration of the railway system, once the pride of the entire nation.
Even to a section of the younger generation, the railway system represented the best in the movement of goods and people from areas served by the rail road.
Whenever news of the rehabilitation of the railway sector is made public, those who enjoyed the services of the system in those "good old days" recall the era of the "rail romance".
It was a lot of fun to travel by train when "sleeper" trains, otherwise known as "blue-blue", were introduced and the passengers were provided with absolute comfort during their travels, especially at night.
The railway sector itself has a rich history in trade unionism in the country because of the role the railway sector played in labour activism from their base at "Bottom Tree" in Sekondi-Takoradi.
The Daily Graphic will be first to admit that all is not well with the railway system in the country. A few of the services that are still operating through the ingenuity of the workers are not as reliable as they used to be in the so-called heydays.
That the railway system is a pale shadow of itself today may be an understatement. The various railway stations that used to be centres of brisk business are all in a state of disrepair. Major portions of the eastern corridor of the railway lines are overgrown with weeds.
Our governments have tried to revive the railway system but so far, action has been slow. A few years ago, the major portions of the Achimota-Tema Rail Road were rehabilitated and inaugurated amidst pomp and pageantry but the excitement died down soon after because the expectations could not be met.
In spite of the challenges in the sector, a few of the services being operated are highly patronised by the travelling public. The shuttle services from Accra to Nsawam and Accra to Tema are over-subscribed by passengers, especially workers and traders.
The huge patronage of these limited services sends very loud messages to the authorities that we cannot do without rail transport and the need to re-shape it to meet the expectations of the travelling public is without question.
The railway system is the means of transport of choice in all societies, including even the advanced ones, because it is reliable and safe. Working people and other adults in other spheres of endeavour will give very good testament of the railway system in the 1960s. Besides the safety guidelines observed by the officials, it hardly failed those in need of its services.
Every system has its merits and demerits but a trip down memory lane indicates that society tends to gain if more resources are directed at the rehabilitation of the railway sector.
The Daily Graphic, therefore, encourages the government to explore the opportunities available to restore the railway sector to its good old days when it was both fun and pleasure to travel by train. Nothing must stand in our way.
Monday, March 1, 2010
CONGRESSES VITAL FOR NURTURING DEMOCRACY (PAGE 27, 2010)
The importance of political party congresses cannot be downplayed in any functional democracy. These events are healthy not only for the growth of intra-party activities but also to deepen internal democracy, as well as democratic governance.
It is in this vein, that political parties must be encouraged to hold annual delegates conferences and congresses where the highest governing body of the party not only meet to take crucial decisions and engage in serious business but assess their performance and elect new officers to steer the affairs of the political parties.
Top officials of other political persuasions also show up at congresses of other political parties to express their goodwill messages and in sharing the same platform the political leaders send signals to their supporters that members of other parties are not their enemies.
It is in this connection that we must all be interested in what political parties do and encourage them to abide by the rules of engagement.
Recently, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) successfully organised its national delegates conference in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, which was smooth, peaceful and orderly.
The much-talked-about conference, which attracted the top echelon of the party, was the toast of all as the NDC emerged more united and purposeful to prosecute its political and development agenda for the nation, as well as its bid to retain power in 2012.
And as the NPP also organises its conference today, it is the expectation of the party’s supporters that the party will become stronger after the conference.
It is the hope of the Daily Graphic that the leaders and supporters will avoid tendencies that are divisive, disruptive and not beneficial to the party’s collective interests and goals.
The supporters also hope that the so-called factions existing between Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Mr Alan Kwadjo Kyerematen will not be made to take centre stage during the conference meant to elect national officers. Delegates must realise that the task before them is bigger than individuals or personalities. Indeed, the conference is not a contest between Alan and Nana, but that delegates are expected to elect their leaders to run the affairs of the party for the next four years.
It behoves the delegates to elect leaders who have the capacity and capability to make the NPP attractive to its supporters and the entire Ghanaian electorate.
Internal democracy within a political party need not be a source of conflict, because in cases where some delegates are not willing to accept the verdict of the majority these conflicts affect the national polity.
The Daily Graphic, therefore, encourages all the political parties to use their conferences or congresses to deepen internal democracy and, by extension, strengthen the country’s governance system.
We must always remember that the constitution itself encourages internal democracy. That is why the Electoral Commission (EC) will not supervise the election of any presidential candidate of a political party if that party fails to go through the due process. After all, democracy is about the rule of law and people who are chosen for leadership positions must lead by example.
The Daily Graphic wishes the NPP a successful conference and may the best candidates win.
It is in this vein, that political parties must be encouraged to hold annual delegates conferences and congresses where the highest governing body of the party not only meet to take crucial decisions and engage in serious business but assess their performance and elect new officers to steer the affairs of the political parties.
Top officials of other political persuasions also show up at congresses of other political parties to express their goodwill messages and in sharing the same platform the political leaders send signals to their supporters that members of other parties are not their enemies.
It is in this connection that we must all be interested in what political parties do and encourage them to abide by the rules of engagement.
Recently, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) successfully organised its national delegates conference in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, which was smooth, peaceful and orderly.
The much-talked-about conference, which attracted the top echelon of the party, was the toast of all as the NDC emerged more united and purposeful to prosecute its political and development agenda for the nation, as well as its bid to retain power in 2012.
And as the NPP also organises its conference today, it is the expectation of the party’s supporters that the party will become stronger after the conference.
It is the hope of the Daily Graphic that the leaders and supporters will avoid tendencies that are divisive, disruptive and not beneficial to the party’s collective interests and goals.
The supporters also hope that the so-called factions existing between Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Mr Alan Kwadjo Kyerematen will not be made to take centre stage during the conference meant to elect national officers. Delegates must realise that the task before them is bigger than individuals or personalities. Indeed, the conference is not a contest between Alan and Nana, but that delegates are expected to elect their leaders to run the affairs of the party for the next four years.
It behoves the delegates to elect leaders who have the capacity and capability to make the NPP attractive to its supporters and the entire Ghanaian electorate.
Internal democracy within a political party need not be a source of conflict, because in cases where some delegates are not willing to accept the verdict of the majority these conflicts affect the national polity.
The Daily Graphic, therefore, encourages all the political parties to use their conferences or congresses to deepen internal democracy and, by extension, strengthen the country’s governance system.
We must always remember that the constitution itself encourages internal democracy. That is why the Electoral Commission (EC) will not supervise the election of any presidential candidate of a political party if that party fails to go through the due process. After all, democracy is about the rule of law and people who are chosen for leadership positions must lead by example.
The Daily Graphic wishes the NPP a successful conference and may the best candidates win.
OUR DESTINY LIES IN OUR OWN HANDS (FEB 26, 2010)
THE President yesterday reiterated his pledge to create an atmosphere of inclusiveness, respect and courtesy in our national discussions and debates when he presented an address on the state of the nation to Parliament.
In an address on the theme, “Partners in Vision”, President Mills recalled the campaign pledge of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which was an agenda of change for a better Ghana, saying that the change was promised to advance the cause of democracy and renew our faith in the future of this country even as we take on a new set of development challenges.
Indeed, the President was forthright when he stated that “nobody has a monopoly of either vision or wisdom and we will take honest criticism in good faith. We will work together to fashion out the appropriate policies that will help our nation face and overcome her many challenges in these times of great uncertainty”.
The fact that Ghana has always been the torchbearer of the renaissance on the African continent has never been in doubt. We were the first to gain independence in sub-Saharan Africa and the first to build a strong foundation for democratic governance after a long interregnum of military dictatorship.
The Daily Graphic is encouraged by the acknowledgement of the good work of our past leaders by President Mills.
Said he: “Kwame Nkrumah laid the foundation for oil and gas exploitation in Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings created the institutional framework for its exploitation, the oil and gas was struck in commercial quantities in the period of John Agyekum Kufuor and actual commercial exploitation is beginning in the period of John Evans Atta Mills.”
Almost 53 years after independence, our country has made great strides. Surely, we have also committed some mistakes during the period, but our future progress depends on the lessons we learn from our mistakes in order to take the right decisions for national development.
As the government plans to constitute a multi-partisan group to revisit the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act (ROPAA) passed during the Fourth Parliament of the Fourth Republic, it will be worthwhile for it to initiate a national agenda on all development issues.
This way, no government will have the power to deviate from the national interest so that we can have consistency in the implementation of policies concerning education, health and the economy.
Ghanaians from all walks of life have demonstrated excellence and distinction in various fields of endeavour, both locally and internationally. Perhaps where we seem not to be making so much progress is how to put the building blocks together in order to create a unifying nation within the diversified political environment.
The country will gain tremendously if we all make a pledge to suppress our individual political ambitions in the interest of national development because together each and everyone gains.
The global economic challenges have not abated, but locally the government has made certain gains by putting in place policies to stabilise inflation and the cedi, while interest rates are gradually coming down.
Perhaps our greatest problem as a nation is our inability to play by the rules. Everybody tries to cut corners in one way or anther, damning the consequences. And anyone who tries to do the right thing earns the displeasure of his peers and society at large. How sad!
The Daily Graphic believes it is time we changed our ways and also eschewed complacency, especially in the management of the economy, so that more prudent policies will be put in place to make life better for all.
We also need to rededicate ourselves to the task of nation building, put Ghana first and eschew vices such as indiscipline, corruption and abuse of office and power.
In an address on the theme, “Partners in Vision”, President Mills recalled the campaign pledge of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which was an agenda of change for a better Ghana, saying that the change was promised to advance the cause of democracy and renew our faith in the future of this country even as we take on a new set of development challenges.
Indeed, the President was forthright when he stated that “nobody has a monopoly of either vision or wisdom and we will take honest criticism in good faith. We will work together to fashion out the appropriate policies that will help our nation face and overcome her many challenges in these times of great uncertainty”.
The fact that Ghana has always been the torchbearer of the renaissance on the African continent has never been in doubt. We were the first to gain independence in sub-Saharan Africa and the first to build a strong foundation for democratic governance after a long interregnum of military dictatorship.
The Daily Graphic is encouraged by the acknowledgement of the good work of our past leaders by President Mills.
Said he: “Kwame Nkrumah laid the foundation for oil and gas exploitation in Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings created the institutional framework for its exploitation, the oil and gas was struck in commercial quantities in the period of John Agyekum Kufuor and actual commercial exploitation is beginning in the period of John Evans Atta Mills.”
Almost 53 years after independence, our country has made great strides. Surely, we have also committed some mistakes during the period, but our future progress depends on the lessons we learn from our mistakes in order to take the right decisions for national development.
As the government plans to constitute a multi-partisan group to revisit the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act (ROPAA) passed during the Fourth Parliament of the Fourth Republic, it will be worthwhile for it to initiate a national agenda on all development issues.
This way, no government will have the power to deviate from the national interest so that we can have consistency in the implementation of policies concerning education, health and the economy.
Ghanaians from all walks of life have demonstrated excellence and distinction in various fields of endeavour, both locally and internationally. Perhaps where we seem not to be making so much progress is how to put the building blocks together in order to create a unifying nation within the diversified political environment.
The country will gain tremendously if we all make a pledge to suppress our individual political ambitions in the interest of national development because together each and everyone gains.
The global economic challenges have not abated, but locally the government has made certain gains by putting in place policies to stabilise inflation and the cedi, while interest rates are gradually coming down.
Perhaps our greatest problem as a nation is our inability to play by the rules. Everybody tries to cut corners in one way or anther, damning the consequences. And anyone who tries to do the right thing earns the displeasure of his peers and society at large. How sad!
The Daily Graphic believes it is time we changed our ways and also eschewed complacency, especially in the management of the economy, so that more prudent policies will be put in place to make life better for all.
We also need to rededicate ourselves to the task of nation building, put Ghana first and eschew vices such as indiscipline, corruption and abuse of office and power.
PROMOTING HEALTHY DISCOURSE (FEB 25, 2010)
THE 1992 Constitution guarantees the freedom and independence of the media. It also prohibits censorship in the country.
However, there is no absolute freedom of the press anywhere in the world and that is why the press is enjoined to exercise freedom with responsibility.
The power of the media can be likened to a lethal weapon which, if not used properly, can create confusion in society.
Media irresponsibility has led to instability in many countries on the continent. The genocide in Rwanda and the political crisis in Kenya were caused largely by irresponsible reportage by a section of the media.
Besides the media’s traditional role of providing education, information and entertainment, they provide the platform to spread knowledge and enlightenment that shape society for the better.
By now there should be no doubt in the mind of anybody why Napoleon Bonaparte once declared, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
The Daily Graphic calls on journalists to always practise their profession bearing in mind their ethical and professional obligations.
For, if journalists abuse the freedom that they enjoy, they provide the authorities with the excuse to curtail media freedom and rights.
Article 164 of the Constitution states, “The provisions of articles 162 and 163 of this Constitution are subject to laws that are reasonably required in the interest of national security, public order, public morality and for the purpose of protecting the reputations, rights and freedoms of other persons.”
Some of the conditions under which the freedom of the media can be curtailed are difficult to define, hence the need for all journalists to exercise freedom with responsibility to avoid a situation where the authorities may have an excuse to apply this rule.
Although the Constitution enjoins journalists to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people of Ghana, journalists should commend the government if it initiates policies that promote the welfare of the people and criticise it when it initiates bad policies, in line with their watchdog role.
The caution, therefore, from the Chairman of the NMC, Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, to FM radio stations to realise at all times the impact of the spoken word and ensure that the airwaves are not used to foment discord and disunity in the country must be taken very seriously by members of the inky fraternity.
In a speech read on his behalf by Mr Elvis Aryeh, a member of the NMC, at the launch of the 10th anniversary of Adom FM in Accra last Tuesday, the NMC chairman noted that what was said on the airwaves should promote peace and not instability, rancour and bitterness.
Again, we remind journalists and commentators on radio and other medium of communication to play down the over-politicisation of issues and focus more on education, health and the economy.
The Daily Graphic reminds journalists that the public has the right to factual, accurate, balanced and fair reportage, which is the objective of good journalism.
We can help society to make progress and avoid inflaming passions if media practitioners refrain from publishing inaccurate and misleading information.
Let all journalists devote their contents to healthy discourse to encourage national unity, integration and development.
However, there is no absolute freedom of the press anywhere in the world and that is why the press is enjoined to exercise freedom with responsibility.
The power of the media can be likened to a lethal weapon which, if not used properly, can create confusion in society.
Media irresponsibility has led to instability in many countries on the continent. The genocide in Rwanda and the political crisis in Kenya were caused largely by irresponsible reportage by a section of the media.
Besides the media’s traditional role of providing education, information and entertainment, they provide the platform to spread knowledge and enlightenment that shape society for the better.
By now there should be no doubt in the mind of anybody why Napoleon Bonaparte once declared, “The pen is mightier than the sword.”
The Daily Graphic calls on journalists to always practise their profession bearing in mind their ethical and professional obligations.
For, if journalists abuse the freedom that they enjoy, they provide the authorities with the excuse to curtail media freedom and rights.
Article 164 of the Constitution states, “The provisions of articles 162 and 163 of this Constitution are subject to laws that are reasonably required in the interest of national security, public order, public morality and for the purpose of protecting the reputations, rights and freedoms of other persons.”
Some of the conditions under which the freedom of the media can be curtailed are difficult to define, hence the need for all journalists to exercise freedom with responsibility to avoid a situation where the authorities may have an excuse to apply this rule.
Although the Constitution enjoins journalists to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people of Ghana, journalists should commend the government if it initiates policies that promote the welfare of the people and criticise it when it initiates bad policies, in line with their watchdog role.
The caution, therefore, from the Chairman of the NMC, Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, to FM radio stations to realise at all times the impact of the spoken word and ensure that the airwaves are not used to foment discord and disunity in the country must be taken very seriously by members of the inky fraternity.
In a speech read on his behalf by Mr Elvis Aryeh, a member of the NMC, at the launch of the 10th anniversary of Adom FM in Accra last Tuesday, the NMC chairman noted that what was said on the airwaves should promote peace and not instability, rancour and bitterness.
Again, we remind journalists and commentators on radio and other medium of communication to play down the over-politicisation of issues and focus more on education, health and the economy.
The Daily Graphic reminds journalists that the public has the right to factual, accurate, balanced and fair reportage, which is the objective of good journalism.
We can help society to make progress and avoid inflaming passions if media practitioners refrain from publishing inaccurate and misleading information.
Let all journalists devote their contents to healthy discourse to encourage national unity, integration and development.
STRIKE NOT THE OPTION (FEB 24, 2010)
THE industrial harmony in the country is under threat, following the decision by the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) to abandon the classroom from Monday, March 1, 2010.
It has stated its reasons for the intended action, including the turning of deaf ears to teachers’ concerns over promotion interviews and the payment of maintenance allowances by the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES).
NAGRAT has expressed its frustration at the feet dragging on the issue by the educational authorities but the Ministry of Education has dismissed the basis for the strike, since, according to it, all NAGRAT grievances were being met.
In recent times, labour has been raising the red flag to remind employers that it is dissatisfied with their conditions of service.
The economy is showing signs of recovery after the turbulent times it went through last year but there is the need for more sacrifices from all sections of society if we are to keep our heads above water.
The days ahead will witness more worker agitation for improved conditions of service because of the rising prices of goods and services on the market.
The DAILY GRAPHIC does not intend to take sides in this tussle between NAGRAT and the educational authorities because both parties seem to have the force of argument backing their positions.
Nonetheless, we think it is inopportune to create the conditions for those in charge of the character formation of our youth to withdraw their services.
The DAILY GRAPHIC is aware that ends are competing for scarce resources, for which reason the government will be hard pressed for resources to meet the expectations of all segments of society.
Although we want to caution against any act that will thwart the efforts at economic reconstruction, the DAILY GRAPHIC reminds the educational authorities to keep faith with its social partners.
Looking at the steps that have been taken by NAGRAT, it appears it has followed the grievance procedure in arriving at its decision to withdraw its services.
We think that if NAGRAT carries out its intended action, the consequences will impact negatively on educational standards.
It is no longer tenable to ask the teacher to expect his/her reward in Heaven and so it will be a Herculean task to try to talk teachers into calling off their intended action for the sake of the students without concrete steps to meet their demands.
No matter which way one looks at the conditions of service of teachers, it cannot be disputed that over the last few years a lot has been done to improve their working conditions.
What has been done so far may not have met the expectations of teachers who, like other professionals, want to reap their rewards on earth, but we believe that the government will not relent in efforts at doing more for teachers within the constraints of the national economy.
Already, the government has increased the salaries of teachers and also introduced special incentives for those who accept posting to deprived communities.
The DAILY GRAPHIC can gauge the feelings of members of NAGRAT, other teachers and working people in general concerning the increasing difficulties they face in fending for themselves and their families.
However, we think the solution does not lie in the withdrawal of their services to students.
This approach is objectionable because it will aggravate the already precarious educational system and compound the educational budget of parents, the government and students who foot their own bills.
The DAILY GRAPHIC, therefore, calls on the parties in dispute not to abandon the negotiation table but keep to dialogue until all outstanding matters have been resolved.
It has stated its reasons for the intended action, including the turning of deaf ears to teachers’ concerns over promotion interviews and the payment of maintenance allowances by the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES).
NAGRAT has expressed its frustration at the feet dragging on the issue by the educational authorities but the Ministry of Education has dismissed the basis for the strike, since, according to it, all NAGRAT grievances were being met.
In recent times, labour has been raising the red flag to remind employers that it is dissatisfied with their conditions of service.
The economy is showing signs of recovery after the turbulent times it went through last year but there is the need for more sacrifices from all sections of society if we are to keep our heads above water.
The days ahead will witness more worker agitation for improved conditions of service because of the rising prices of goods and services on the market.
The DAILY GRAPHIC does not intend to take sides in this tussle between NAGRAT and the educational authorities because both parties seem to have the force of argument backing their positions.
Nonetheless, we think it is inopportune to create the conditions for those in charge of the character formation of our youth to withdraw their services.
The DAILY GRAPHIC is aware that ends are competing for scarce resources, for which reason the government will be hard pressed for resources to meet the expectations of all segments of society.
Although we want to caution against any act that will thwart the efforts at economic reconstruction, the DAILY GRAPHIC reminds the educational authorities to keep faith with its social partners.
Looking at the steps that have been taken by NAGRAT, it appears it has followed the grievance procedure in arriving at its decision to withdraw its services.
We think that if NAGRAT carries out its intended action, the consequences will impact negatively on educational standards.
It is no longer tenable to ask the teacher to expect his/her reward in Heaven and so it will be a Herculean task to try to talk teachers into calling off their intended action for the sake of the students without concrete steps to meet their demands.
No matter which way one looks at the conditions of service of teachers, it cannot be disputed that over the last few years a lot has been done to improve their working conditions.
What has been done so far may not have met the expectations of teachers who, like other professionals, want to reap their rewards on earth, but we believe that the government will not relent in efforts at doing more for teachers within the constraints of the national economy.
Already, the government has increased the salaries of teachers and also introduced special incentives for those who accept posting to deprived communities.
The DAILY GRAPHIC can gauge the feelings of members of NAGRAT, other teachers and working people in general concerning the increasing difficulties they face in fending for themselves and their families.
However, we think the solution does not lie in the withdrawal of their services to students.
This approach is objectionable because it will aggravate the already precarious educational system and compound the educational budget of parents, the government and students who foot their own bills.
The DAILY GRAPHIC, therefore, calls on the parties in dispute not to abandon the negotiation table but keep to dialogue until all outstanding matters have been resolved.
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