Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante is chairman of the National Peace Council
The Chairman of the National Peace Council (NPC); Most Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante has advised media personnel in the country to desist from what he calls “gutter journalism” and “cheque book journalism”.
Rev. Asante who was speaking at a forum held for selected News Editors in the Ashanti region explained that the stock in trade of the “gutter press” is the creation of “sensation and settings for lies, political invectives, insults and chaos to the political good”. He says they are dangerous to any democracy because they have the tendency to make nonsense of the democratic process and abuse the freedom of the press and media.
He added that the “Cheque book” journalists pander to the greed, vulnerability and undiscerning gullibility of people who are likely to buy stories and create much ado about nothing.
He called on the media to be fair, responsible and objective in their coverage and reportage of issues.
“The media are also encouraged to discourage political insults, lies and invectives and facilitate constructive debates on issues bordering on national interest by opening up channels for communication that enable public access to government and its structures, and to engender public involvement, debate, discussion on and interrogation of government activities without malice or prejudice” he stressed.
The programme which was held at the Golden Tulip Kumasi City was a collaboration between the National Peace Council, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), CDD Ghana, WANEP, GJA and other partners.
It is part of an elaborate national programme that seeks to sensitize and train media personnel on peace building ahead of the country’s national elections next year.
About the National Peace Council
The National Peace Council (NPC) is an independent statutory national peace institution with the objective of the facilitating and developing mechanisms for conflict prevention, management, resolution and to build sustainable peace in the country.
With the passing of Act 818, NPC became operational in 2011. Its establishment abolished the previous peace strategy of National, Regional and District Security Councils that established Regional Peace Advisory Councils (RPACs) and District Peace Advisory Councils (DPACs).
The National Peace Council comprises at the national level of a governing body known as the Board of thirteen eminent persons appointed by the President.
At the Regional and District Levels, the NPC is comprised of Regional and District Peace Councils appointed by the Board in consultation with the Regional coordinating Council and the District Assembly respectively. There are also Regional and District Executive Secretaries appointed by the President.
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