GNA's role is vital for vibrant media industry - Otabil

Sunyani, May 17, GNA - Mr Bernard Otabil, General Manager of Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Friday said the Agency's relevance was vital in positioning the media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm.

He explained that, the impact of the media for national development could be realized based on truthfulness, objectivity and unbiased presentation of balanced stories.

Mr Otabil made the observation at a meeting with the Staff in Sunyani in the Brong-Ahafo Region.

He stressed that since the Agency operated on the principles of fairness, objectivity and neutrality in the dissemination of news, its importance in ensuring a vibrant media to contribute effectively towards national socio-economic development could not be over-emphasised.

Mr Otabil therefore, entreated the staff to unite and work with a common zeal and purpose in building a new GNA, adding 'If the Agency could be moved to the next level, then there is the need to undertake the re-engineering of the organisation'.

He pointed out that the objectives of the Agency since its inception on the eve of the nation's independence could not necessarily be depended on now for its progress because 'The changing times call for changing dynamics in terms of the way we apply our resources'.

Mr Otabil outlined his vision for the Agency and urged the staff to be innovative to translate ideas and visions into reality to give the GNA the required facelift in every facet of its existence.

He however emphasised that the GNA had a core mandate of truthfulness, objectivity and impartiality which 'We are not going to depart from'.

Mr Patrick Firempong, Brong-Ahafo Regional Manager of the Agency, pledged the preparedness of the staff to work with renewed vigour and enthusiasm to complement efforts of Management.

GNA