Editorials

The Daily Graphic commends government on its preparedness to put in place effective strategies and mechanisms aimed at regulating the operations of oil drilling companies as the country prepares to commence the commercial production and export of crude oil. While acknowledging the pivotal contribution of the resource in shaping the lives of the people, the paper believes that the only way the country can benefit immensely from the commodity is for the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, GNPC to have a grateful stake in its exploitation and the protection of the environment. The Graphic urges government to take a cue from the recent Gulf of Mexico oil disaster in the United States and act swiftly to forestall any such occurrence in the country's offshore waters.
The Ghanaian Times gives prominence to a statement by the Paramount Chief of the Akpini Traditional Area, Togbuiga Dagadu for chiefs to be resourced and given the power to become non-partisan participants in governance. To the paper, this is long over-due considering the important role they play in effecting the development of their communities. However, their waning political authority, coupled with their open alliances with some of the political parties leaves much to be desired. The Times urges the government to take another look at article 276 (1) of the constitution which bars chiefs from taking part in active politics in a bid to make chiefs function more effectively.