The President of the Ghana Journalists (GJA) Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour has heaped praises on the Church organizing such mammoth conference to discuss issues of morality and national development.
Former Chief of Staff Julius Derbrah
He said this historic initiative by the church would go down the annals of the country as one of the best initiatives that brought together captains of industries, politicians, Lawyers, media among others.
Chairman of Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye
Mr. Dwumfour was speaking at a 2-Day Conference held at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC) at Gomoa Fetteh in the Centra l region under the theme “Moral Vision and National Development”.
“Apostle Chairman, I wish to congratulate the Church of Pentecost for organising the National Development Conference which brings together key stakeholders to discuss the moral vision and development of the country. This is a step in the right direction and clear proof that the Church is an institution that operates both in faith and action. Given the role the Church as an institution has played in national development over the years, it may not be out of order to acknowledge it as the Fifth Estate of the Realm, coming after the media whose credential in governance structure has long been established”, the GJA President said.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin
Mr. Dwumfour described the theme for the conference as most appropriate considering the need to pursue a vigorous national development agenda and reshape the moral vision of the country.
“ We may not have empirical evidence, but we are fortified in discernment to firmly hold that the nation’s moral fabric is fast decaying and the consequence thereof is an erosion of national development. Corruption, indiscipline, impunity, disrespectfulness and greed have seized our moral consciousness. Certainly, we need a renewal of our moral awareness and vision as a nation”, he emphasized.
He later assured COP ans entire nation that the media will play a positive role to help renew the moral vision of the nation and also promote national development adding that the media have been playing this role over the years as constitutionally mandated.
Vice President Bawumia speaking at the opening of the Conference
He hower called on the media to rise to the challenge and be responsible in the discharge of their duties stressing that the media can do more and better.
Mr. Dwumfour who said he became the GJA President by virtue of the disciplined imbibed in him as a member of COP, later expressed worry over attacks on the media in discharging their constitutional mandate.
Elder Nana Amo Tobin, Elder of COP
“The media will necessarily expose corruption and other ills of society. Such exposes are normally not palatable to the elements involved. But no matter how displeased anybody may be about the work of the media they cannot resolve their grievances through assault. Even in instances where the media get it wrong or do anything untoward, resorting to assault is not an option under the rule of law”, he intimated.
The GJA President therefore called on the Exexutive and the Legislature to condemn attacks on Journalists and called on the Judiciary to punish severely anti-media elements in the country.
The 2-Day Conference saw high ranking officials in the country including the Vice President, the Chief Justice Justice Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, the Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Bagbin, former President Kufour, former President Mahama all of whom commended COP and pledged their commitment to the realization of the theme of the Conference.
Source:www.senaradioonline.com
