Minister commends GNA for ensuring high journalistic standards

Tamale, April 10, GNA - Mr. Moses Bukari Mabengba, Northern Regional Minister, on Friday commended the Ghana News Agency (GNA) for continuing to set high journalistic standards and urged Management to remain focussed and credible.

"I know for sure that GNA is not part of the sensational media houses and I must commend the staff and management for the high journalistic standards. I have never read a controversial story from the GNA but that should not allow complacency to set in for there is always room for improvement," he said.

Mr. Mabengba gave the commendation when he paid a visit to the staff of the Regional office of the wire service to formally introduce himself as minister and to seek collaboration of the media to ensure peace and security in the region.

The Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Regional Minister; Mr. San Nasamu Asabigi, Chief Director of the Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC), Mr. Joseph Dasana and some National Democratic Congress party executives.

Mr. Mabengba also visited the Regional offices of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Graphic Communications Group Limited, New Times Corporation as well as some FM radio stations and private media houses, where he expressed the need for journalists to write positive stories to market the region rather than dividing the people.

The Minister said the GNA was working under harsh conditions and asked the staff to present a written request of some of their needs to his office for onward submission to the sector ministry for possible assistance.

"You have a good office accommodation but the entire block needs a serious renovation while those who have invaded your office premises need to be sacked to ensure easy access to your entrance.

"I know the Vice President and your sector minister being media persons know the worth of GNA and I hope they would be ever ready to address problems facing the Agency."

Mr. Mumuni Amankwa Salifu, Acting Regional Manager of the GNA said though the minister had enumerated the problems of the Agency there was the need for the RCC to find some immediate mitigating measures to support the office such as the donation of a computer and its accessories.

"We have noted with concern your commendation and I want to assure you on behalf of my colleagues that we would continue to perform our best to ensure that our stories unite the nation rather than creating division."

GNA