Destiny has had it that I started my work at the Ministry of Information and National Orientation with you and end it, again, with you.

This happens to be my final official address in my capacity as the Minister for Information and National Orientation (my first was also to you). However, it is not a goodbye moment yet because I shall continue to avail myself to the press in my new portfolio and hope that you will help me to showcase the tourism potential of this country; plus play a crucial role in our relationship with our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora.

I believe that the excellent relationship that has existed between us will continue to foster an even better understanding and cooperation in my new portfolio as the Minister for Tourism and Diasporan Relations.

My tenure at the information ministry and the relationship I developed with you, the media, has deepened my appreciation of the correlation between press freedom and empowerment of the people for the good of country and the world.

Armed with this understanding, and the unflinching support I received from the press in the course of my duty, I should like to think that together we have been able to empower more people and spurred them into participating in our democratic process.

Thank you so much for your co-operation and understanding and I believe that through your work and tirelessness Ghana has attracted a lot of positive attention internationally.

Mr Chairman, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends of the Media, may I express my profound gratitude, again, to the executive of the Ghana Journalists Association for the honour of inviting me to deliver the Keynote address at this symposium and flag-raising ceremony of the 2008 World Press Freedom Day celebration.

The topic for my address today is “Freedom of the Press, Empowerment and Participation of the People – The Role of Government.” Let me address quickly some of the concerns raised by the chair of the NMC. It is in order that the questions are asked and more importantly that they are answered. Have Ministers and Public Officials declared their assets? Please do ask. The EC requires more money. How come it was not captured in their budget?-is a question that should also legitimately be asked because I am informed that their original budget request was fully supplied. The utility costs and their relativity to the global situation must be thoroughly interrogated by the media.

To begin with, Mr Chairman, my preamble is simple: that the present government fully recognises the important role that the media, often referred to as the fourth estate of the realm, has played and continues to play in nation building. This Government regards the media as an important partner in the development process and will ensure the sustainability of the present freedoms enjoyed by the media as well as entrench the rule of law in this country.

Working with this belief, Government has succeeded in creating an enabling environment for the media to carry out its work with no interference.

The Fourth Republican Constitution guarantees the freedom and independence of the media and this government has demonstrated its commitment by the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law early in the administration.

For our dear Ghana to continue to develop and grow, transparency and accountability, good governance and productivity, dedication and discipline must be ensured at all times, these are principles that this government holds dear and will do everything to uphold and defend. This government recognises that a nation in which free press and freedom of expression are guaranteed is one where democracy will be nurtured and supported to grow It is based on this belief that, right from day one, we resolved to support the media to function effectively.

This very Press Centre in which we hold today’s event and many numerous programmes, and which serves as a nerve-centre for the practice of good journalism in this country is an attestation to government’s absolute commitment to ensure that Ghanaians are empowered enough to participate in our democratic forward march. The donation of land for the building of this International Press Centre was not just an empty gesture but one with a vision to help our media help our country move ahead.

Government also provided one brand new vehicle to the GJA to aid its work in criss-crossing the length and breadth of this country.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, in its bid to ensure that even those in the most deprived rural communities have access to information, government has strengthened the capacity of the Information Services Department with the purchase of 140 new cinema vans, and a full complement of staff. This is making a real difference to the reach of messages to every nook and cranny of our country.
Furthermore, through the weekly Meet-the-Press Series, Government keeps the press informed about its policies and programmes as well as developments in the various sector ministries. This is a very positive development which we should all cherish and work hard to protect.

Across the length and breadth of the country Community Information Centres are being established to further bring information closer to the doorstep of the people.

Currently the Ministry of Information and National Orientation is working hard to ensure that we have a comprehensive National Broadcasting Law, a Right to Information Law and a Films Development and Classifications law. Here I must acknowledge the contribution of stakeholders like the Advocacy Steering Committee for A National Broadcasting Law, the National Media Commission, Independent Broadcaster’s Association, the World Bank and many others. The laws are geared towards providing an enabling playing field to entrench the freedoms enjoyed by the media and citizens alike.

Mr Chairman, a free press is crucial for the success of a democratic state. It is one of the key tools for holding governments accountable to their people. Taken in conjunction with the corruption-fighting laws that have been put in place over the past few years, we can clearly say that as a nation, we are moving positively towards a more disciplined society.

Government has since it assumed office worked hard at establishing an open and healthy relationship with the media. We can proudly say that today in Ghana, the necessary enabling environment has been created as all shades of opinion are freely expressed in our media without fear of reprisal or intimidation.

Media practitioners have been encouraged to cross check any information they may have with the relevant authorities, and Ministers of State have kept their doors open to the media.

As we have repeated over and over to one another, however, this freedom must be accompanied by responsible journalism for it to be beneficial to all of us.

Mr Chairman, I therefore take this opportunity to reiterate to my brothers and sisters in the media, the need to focus on issues rather than personalities, insults, political pettiness and trivialism. In this election year, caution must be exercised by all practitioners not to abuse the freedoms we enjoy by using our media platforms to be used for negative political shenanigans that have potential to disturb the peace and tranquility of our beloved country. We must strongly guard our freedoms with an objective and all-encompassing eye!

False information about public figures does not only unnecessarily tarnish their image but also erodes public confidence in the source of that information. We must recognise that we now have an increasingly discerning public who can read between the lines.

Presenters on talk shows have a responsibility to ensure that abusive language is not entertained since this has the potential of stirring passions and conflict. The conflicts that have raged and continue to rage in our sub-region should serve as constant reminders to us to safeguard the peace and stability we now enjoy.

I would also like to mention one more time that the industry could increase its self-regulation even ahead of the proposed National Broadcasting Law, to ensure that abusive language, near-pornographic material and the exaltation of crime and the use of drugs in films and lyrics are totally expunged from our screens, radio stations and our newspapers.

While recognising that the sector is demand-driven, and that the consumer seems to sometimes dictate what should go into the newspapers, television and radio (in this case sensational stories), we should not lose sight of our primary focus. I would therefore wish to urge the media to balance their reportage and expand their coverage of development-oriented issues.

For the people to participate effectively in governance, they must be adequately informed to enable them to make informed choices and contribute meaningfully to debate on issues affecting them. Government and the media must see themselves as partners in building a society where respect for the rule of law and fundamental human rights is paramount.

Although the National Media Commission and other civil society watchdogs are independent of government, they all have critically important roles to play in promoting and ensuring the freedom and independence of the media, and maintaining the highest standards of journalism practice in the country.

Mr Chairman, this government recognises the immense role played by the media in the development of our nation and wishes to assure all practitioners and observers that it will continue to support them, create an even better playing field, and work together with them to find ways and means of making it lucrative. For it is also our belief that better rewards coupled with the freedoms enjoyed would increase standards of professionalism in the industry.

Government remains resolute in its commitment to empower all sections of the population to participate in the decision-making process and this has been demonstrated by the strengthening of local government structures, increased access to education for all children of school-going age, and the setting up of a Women and Children’s Ministry to safeguard and promote the interest of women.

Mr Chairman, empowerment, some say, is derived from a set of psychological principles. However, I want to believe that empowerment is not just derived from these but should also be a conscious exercise to redirect the thinking of people in order to whip up sentiments of feel-good and self-confidence for the good of our society and mankind. Thus, in creating the National Orientation programme, government has added on to the freedoms and fundamental human rights of Ghanaians an opportunity to shape up attitudes that should auger well for the development and growth of our nation. Here again, there is a wealth of opportunity for partnership between government and the media to bring about positive change in the citizenry for the benefit of all.

May I appeal to all media houses in the run up to the 2008 general elections to exercise restraint in their reportage and avoid inflaming passions since the successful conduct of the election is crucial to the maintenance of the current peace and stability and hence the freedoms currently enjoyed.

Under my watch, I am happy to say there are only a few incidents where there have been allegations of interference with the media-recently a couple of interesting ones to do with Metro TV. The first, which had gained wide-spread currency, is an accusation directed at me personally by Mr Owula Mangortey. His assertion that I had him stopped from appearing on Metro TV because of his uncomplimentary comments about me, is completely untrue and with no basis. The same applies to the more recent accusation that I, or the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, intimidated Metro TV and stopped them from re-broadcasting the UNCTAD program with the Hon. Minister of Trade’s intervention. Another complete falsehood.

Thankfully, this has been rebutted by the General Manager of Metro TV on several stations. The point here is that in a free media landscape, it becomes even more important to cross-check information thoroughly. I am happy that the GJA President has intimated that they are fully investigating both sides of the story, in the case of Hon. Joe BAidoo-Ansah and the UNCTAD XII Conference.

Before I take my seat, I should once again like to express my appreciation for your support in my work as the Minister for Information and National Orientation. It has been extremely exciting, challenging and most importantly worthwhile working with you, and I believe that I will have the same cooperation and support in my next ministerial life at the Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations.

As I end, I would like to wish all of you a happy celebration of this year’s World Press Freedom Day; and to assure you once more of your government’s continued support for freedom of the press, freedom of speech and of information and an enabling environment for the practice of good and responsible journalism in this country. More grease to your elbows.

Long live press freedom, long live our Ghanaian media, and long live Ghana!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION AND GOD BLESS.