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Prez Debate: Aggudey to repeal criminal libel law ?

By GNA
Politics Prez Debate: Aggudey to repeal criminal libel law ?
NOV 17, 2004 LISTEN

Accra, Nov. 17, GNA - The Presidential Candidate of the Convention People's Party (CPP), Mr George Aguddey, said on Tuesday that a government under his leadership would take a second look at the repealed criminal libel law to protect the privacy of Ghanaians when elected in the December 2004 polls. Speaking in the Presidential Debate organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in Accra, Mr Aguddey said the private life of Ghanaians had to be guaranteed and protected from probing journalists, who published items to injure the hard won integrity of individuals. The Presidential Candidates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), People's National Convention (PNC) and the CPP took turns at the two-hour session to answer questions on the economy, good governance and social matters. Mr Aguddey said the media had move its focus on the private affairs of individuals to deal more with issues affecting the development of the country.
"I believe citizens must be given the chance to seek redress when their reputation is harmed without fear or favour," he said. On the question of tribalism, Mr Aguddey said ethnic affiliations must not be allowed to tear Ghanaians apart, saying, a CPP government would give all Ghanaians, irrespective of their tribe equal opportunities to develop themselves.
He said, position would only be given to people on merit and not on their tribal affiliation.
Mr Aguddey also touched on national reconciliation, stating that irrespective of personal differences the country had to remain a cohesive unit from which every member of the society drew his strength. He said Ghana would remain underdeveloped if it failed to focus on harnessing the domestic productive sector and taking advantage of the natural resources that the country was endowed with.
"We must look at what we can produce and stop the unbridled importation of goods into the country. That is the only way to get the economy working," he said.
Mr Aguddey said the continuous reliance on donor support for the country's development would not lead to the economic freedom sought by Ghanaians.
A CPP Government Mr Aguddey said would restructure the educational system with the view of making it free at all levels.

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