By Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Takoradi, Nov. 27, GNA – Mrs. Beatrice Asamani Savage, the Director of Editorial of the Ghana News Agency, has reminded GNA journalists of their roles in nation building and the need for positive reportage, particularly in the upcoming election.
She said quality information to the citizens devoid of inflammatory and divisive tendencies were critical to creating a well-informed society capable of making quality decisions to advance the course of Ghana.
Mrs. Savage was engaging GNA staff, stringers and volunteers of the Western Regional office on Election Reporting skills.
She said the media space must provide programmes that entrenched the cohesion in the Ghanaian society rather than breaking its fronts.
The Director of Editorial said electoral violence had resulted in instability and lack of development in many African countries, which made it imperative for Ghanaians to jealously guard the peace.
She revealed to the journalists that they must not be complacent of the successes chalked in the many elections conducted in the past, adding that every election had its own dynamics, which is the concern of many stakeholders.
Mrs Savage urged them to be professional in their line of duty and not allowed themselves to be influenced by politicians with tokens.
Mrs. Justina Paaga, the Western Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency, in her welcoming address, noted that the GNA attached much importance to training and skills acquisition to ensure that the journalists produced quality reports.
She entreated the participants to carefully understand their roles in nation building and dispatch their duties in a more effective and efficient manner.
Mrs. Paaga mentioned some hot spots in the Region as Shama, Ellembelle, Wassa East, Essikado-Ketan and Amenfi Central, among others and urged reporters to be careful when covering such areas.
The Western Regional Manager entreated the journalists to be mindful of personal safety in covering the December polls, adding, “you need to live to tell the story “.
She was thankful to the Management for the training and was hopeful that the training would enable reporters to come up with credible and interesting stories during and after the polls.
Some trainees called for branded GNA Jacket, vehicles and other logistics to ensure efficiency.
GNA