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20.08.2014 Science

President Mahama condemns misuse of social media

By GNA
MAHAMA 014MAHAMA 014
20.08.2014 LISTEN

Komenda (CR), Aug. 20, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday condemned the use of social media by unscrupulous elements to create unnecessary panic on serious national issues.

He said the propagation of such negative messages did not only misinform the masses, but also created disaffection between government and members of the public.

President Mahama expressed these sentiments when he cut the sod for the commencement of work on the $36.5 million sugar factory at Komenda in the Central Region.

He particularly condemned the messages that were making rounds in the social media to the effect that there was an outbreak of Ebola disease in Ghana, and that government was hiding the reports from the people for political reasons, as well as the panic that was created about four years ago concerning the hoax about an earthquake.

President Mahama said the Ebola virus was a dangerous and serious issue, and it was therefore unacceptable for anyone to engage in such pranks that could create unnecessary panic and fear among Ghanaians.

He expressed solidarity with the governments and people of the West African countries where Ebola had occurred, and gave the assurance that he would use his position as the ECOWAS Chairman to explore possible solutions to the crisis.

President Mahama advised Ghanaians to observe all the basic preventive measures so as to avoid the entry of the deadly disease into the country.

He said government would put in place all the necessary measures that would protect the citizenry from the disease adding, "You also have the responsibility to observe all the measures to safeguard against the disease."

GNA

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