The Upper West Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Saanbaye Basilide Kangberee, has commended the efforts of GBC’s Radio Upper West towards the development and maintenance of peace in the region. Mr Kangberee said Radio Upper West has over the years maintained a sense of professionalism and excellence in pursuance of its public mandate in the region.
The Regional Chairman said this when he called on the management of the Station at Wa.
The visit of the Upper West Regional Chairman of the NPP was to create an opportunity for the Chairman and his entourage to familiarise themselves with the management of GBC’s Radio Upper West as the party readies itself for the vigorous electioneering period later this year.
Mr. Saanbaye Basilide Kangberee said the relevance of the media towards safeguarding the democracy of Ghana cannot be downplayed. Mr Kagberee said the media’s role as a watchdog and the mouthpiece of the ordinary people allows media practitioners to influence and shape public thoughts and opinions, thus the need to only share information that will create social cohesion.
The Upper West Regional Chairman said the work of Radio Upper West over the years has been unmatched.
“I listen to quite a number of the radio stations and some will say things that they should not be saying. Either they will be insulting somebody or running down somebody or generally speaking, not saying things that any responsible media house will be saying.”
“You [GBC Radio Upper West] are different. I have never heard anything negative about what you say so I know you are carrying out your responsibilities according to the ethics and very professionally,” he said.
He urged that the professionalism be maintained particularly during the electioneering period adding that “this year, people are hungry for power which is even more dangerous than when you are hungry for food. In that climate, tempers are easily ignited and if you are not careful, a particular comment from a radio station can start a fire.”
The Acting Upper West Regional Director of GBC, Lawrence Tetteh said as state broadcaster, the mandate of the station is to allow for varying opinions and interests throughout the country.
“We are a state broadcaster and therefore we represent all shades and opinion as provided for by the constitution of the country. The 1992 constitution states in article 163 that all state-owned media shall afford fair opportunities and facilities for the presentation of divergent views and dissenting opinions.”
“The hallmark of our institutional arrangements and we would want to state that everybody who is a Ghanaian and operating within the law is most welcome to our premises to market his or her political ideas,” he said.
Mr Tetteh used the opportunity to call on political parties to make guarded statements during the electioneering period saying “this year is a crucial one. The reason being that this year is an election year and therefore we want to appeal to all political parties in the region to guide and guard their statements during the campaign period in presenting their views and opinions especially on radio”.
The Upper West Regional Chairman of the NPP was accompanied by the 2nd Vice Chairperson and the Regional Communications Director of the Party.
Story filed by Mark Smith.