Kusasi Students Caution Media Over Bawku

THE University of Cape Coast (UCC) branch of the National Union of Kusa-si Students (NUKS), has called on the media to be circumspect in their reportage and desist from inflaming passions in the run up to the upcoming election in Bawku and its environs.

“The past few months have seen Bawku living peacefully with itself; therefore, there is the need to assist in ensuring that this fragile peace is sustained.

Mr Cephas Annane Asam made the call at a news conference here at the weekend.

He said recognising the pivotal role of the media in national development, there was the need for it to be fair and objective in the way it report on the election in December, especially from areas that has been designed as 'trouble spots' in the country.

Mr Asam said there was the need for the media to critically examine as well as investigate issues from the region before reporting on them and not to rely on hearsay.

He said even though it was important for the media to report on important national issues it must be cautious with serial callers especially during phone-in programmes.

“There are some persons who call into programmes under the guise of anonymity just to inflame passions and deepen tensions. It is this group of persons that the media must be weary of,” he added.

Mr Asam again called on the Ministries of Defence and the Interior to perform their duties in peacekeeping.

He said there was the need to beef-up security before and after the election especially in the Bawku municipality.

He said that fairness displayed by the security agencies would go a long way to ensure that peace was sustained in the area.

“We urge the security agencies to endeavour to beef up the security situation in areas perceived to be 'trouble zones' especially in Bawku and its environs to ensure that nobody or group of persons take the laws into their own hands.

They should intensify the search for illegal arms and ammunition in the country especially Bawku and its environs in order to ensure complete security and peace,” he added.

Mr Asam cautioned traditional rulers in the area not to fall prey to demand of politicians for votes.

“As traditional rulers we must be seen to be neutral in all our dealings with political parties in the country,” he said.