Media urged not to inflame passions

Accra, July 21, GNA - The Institute of Public Relations (IPR) on Wednesday launched its annual week celebration with a call on the media and political parties to couch their language and messages in a manner that would not inflame passions, as the country gears towards Election 2004.

Mr Peter Yarquah, Vice President of IPR, said the fulfilment of this would no doubt consolidate the image of the country as a fully democratic country, which held in high esteem constitutional rule and democratic principles.

"The expectations of all Ghanaians are for a peaceful election and acceptance of the results by all to usher the nation into another term of political governance, irrespective of which party wins," Mr Yarquah said.

"It takes public relations to focus on the democratic objectives and for all to acknowledge that corporate Ghana is all we have and, therefore, should be guarded and cherished," he said. The celebration would be from July 26 to July 30 on the theme:

"Public Relations and National Security". The theme was chosen in the context of the political situation in the West Africa Sub-Region and more importantly that of Ghana.

Activities lined up for the celebrations include a seminar, anniversary lecture, an Annual General Meeting and roundtable discussions with political parties and corporate bodies. Miss Eva Lokko, Director-General of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, who chaired the function, said the media and public relations practitioners had a difficult but useful task ahead and called on them to keep to the substance of a subject matter, be accurate and avoid provocative adjectives.

Mr Osei Bimpong, Immediate Past President of IPR, urged political parties to honour invitations to them to participate in discussions and programmes to ensure peaceful elections.