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Feature: Who Benefits From Ignorance And Distortions On British Togoland Question

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Feature

Ultimately, no one will benefit from the ignorance, distortions, false propaganda and confusion on the British Togoland Question. It is, therefore, unfortunate that we in Ghana have cultivated the cynical and bad habit to describe anybody who speaks about the British Togoland Question as a secessionist.

British Togoland history is part of Ghana’s history. Can we talk about the history of Ghana and leave out the history of British Togoland? Simply put a secessionist is a person who wants to use force or unconstitutional means to secede or break away from a country. In that sense nobody talks, or should talk, about secession in Ghana because there is no basis for it. What is happening in Ghana right now has nothing to do with secession or secessionists.

In fact, secession is only in the mind of the oppressors and occupiers; the imperialist. Out of fear for the truth they use secession as weapon or tool to gag, harass and destroy innocent people. Let us look at the facts of the case.

The people of British Togoland were asked by the UN in a plebiscite in May 1956 whether they would like to join their territory in a UNION with independent Gold Coast (Ghana) or remain under the UN Trusteeship pending the determination of their political future. The majority of them voted for UNION and not integration.

At this stage it is important to point out that the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had rejected integration recommended by the 1955 UN Visiting Mission to the Togolands and adopted Union.

In essence, this meant that the UNGA was, no doubt, totally aware of the differences between Union and integration before it decided to opt for Union. After the people of Togoland voted for Union the UNGA went ahead to express approval for Union not integration under UN Resolution 1044(XI) and invited Britain, the Administering Authority of British Togoland, to take such steps as were necessary to bring about the Union.

Unfortunately, Britain swerved the UN. Instead of establishing a Union, on the pretext of quelling a rebellion in Togoland (eg Alavanyo/Kpando crisis) she invaded, occupied and wrongly and forcibly integrated British Togoland with independent Gold Coast (Ghana) on March 6 1957 under the inappropriate and highly controversial 1957 Ghana Independence Act that did not have a single word or clause about the Ghana-British Togoland Union.

There is need to repeat that instead of a Union prescribed by UN Res. 1044(XI), Britain rather installed undesirable integration, which was rejected earlier by UNGA. Naturally and definitely the people of Togoland were very unhappy and aggrieved and who would not be in the circumstances? They felt cheated and short-changed and they, of course, protested.

In fact, they have been protesting since 1957. They want the Union they voted for on 9 May 1956 and approved by UN Res. 1044(XI) to be respected, accepted and installed.

That is all and it is as simple as that. No! They are not asking for separation or secession as their detractors would like us to believe. Why call this desire for genuine Union secession and insult the people of British Togoland as secessionists?

The reaction of successive governments, their officials and agencies to these harmless protests to seek justice has been rather surprising, shocking, undemocratic and baffling. The major indigenous political party in Togoland, the Togoland Congress, was banned and outlawed under the Avoidance of Discrimination Act.

This did not stop the protests. So the government of Dr. Nkrumah passed the Preventive Detention Act to drive into exile and/or arrest and imprison without trial the leaders of the Togoland Congress. Still the protests did not end.

So General Acheampong passed the Supreme Military Council Decree (SMCD20) in 1976 to further oppress, repress, humiliate, intimidate and prosecute the people. Despite its severity, repressive and draconian nature the decree could not stop the protests.

What it succeeded in doing was to drive the protests underground. That is the state of affairs as of now. The protests seem to be coming from underground and occasionally pop up. But SMCD20 has been a real democracy and free expression killer. It has completely killed freedom of association and of thought.

It must be repealed to allow for free movement and discussion on the Togoland issue. Even as of now, today, people are being humiliated, intimidated, arrested and prosecuted under SMCD20. But frankly the people of Togoland feel really cheated and short-changed and who can stop them from protesting if democratic and constitutional avenues are closed and denied them.

They also have blood flowing in their veins! So is it fair to call them secessionists? Calling them secessionists or visiting humiliation, violence and intimidation on them will not solve the problem because that action lacks logic and it is simply myopic.

Governments of Ghana, their officials and agencies must accept the fact that Britain committed a very serious political and legal error or blunder for turning a Union into forcible integration.

Ghana has been independent for 67 years and it must have the tolerance, courage, maturity and capacity to correct the blunder committed by Britain, peacefully and under due process.

Avoidance of Discrimination Act (ADA), Prevention Detention Act (PDA) and SMCD20 are terrible repressive laws,/ but they cannot stop the people of Togoland from protesting because the injustice meted out to them was just unfair and too much.

Governments of Ghana have realized the shortcomings of these pernicious laws and they have been accused of trying to use misinformation, outright lies and propaganda to reinforce them. This is done by brainwashing the people of British Togoland to feel that they are inferior and foreigners on their own land; that Trans-Volta/Togoland and Volta Region are the same as British Togoland which, of course, is not true.

Governments of Ghana are also strongly suspected to plant or sponsor countervailing dissident groups to use violence and undermine the unity and peace of the people and to serve as a pretext for sending security forces to British Togoland to harass, humiliate and intimidate the people.

Can you believe it that some of these countervailing dissident groups, led by people from outside British Togoland, claim that Western Togoland includes Anlo, Tongu and Peki areas which have always been part of the Gold Coast? Of course, this must be a deliberate ploy to distort, confuse and mislead the public.

The new trend is to make the Togoland issue a scarecrow to frighten people from exercising their voting rights at general elections. Certainly, these nefarious activities are the handiwork of desperate, ruthless people and they are not initiated by peace loving and law-abiding people of British Togoland.

It is quite clear that the people of British Togoland will never accept forcible integration that was imposed on them by Britain and, therefore, will not stop protesting despite the wicked laws, misinformation, distortions and false propaganda. Their cause is legitimate and just and, therefore, there is no time limit for the protests, of course, until the Ghana-British Togoland Union is legitimately established.

What the people of Togoland want is Ghana-British Togoland Union that they voted for on May 9 1956, and approved by UN Res. 1044(XI).

This Union should be properly established and should be backed by a Union Document or Agreement with clearly defined rights and obligations for partners (Ghana & British Togoland) in the Union.

Presently such a sane legal document does not exist, that is, to quote the Office of Legal Affairs of the UN and Ghana’s Attorney-General.

Those who claim a Union Document/Agreement/Deal exists should prove its existence. Conventional Wisdom is in support of the proper establishment of this legal Union. It is quite obvious that the establishment of this legal Union will strengthen rather than weaken Ghana.

(BY KOSI KEDEM, Former MP for Hohoe South)

Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle

Tanzania face Congo DR for a place in the knockout stages

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Congo DR players

A place in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations is on the line as Tanzania face Congo DR at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium on Wednesday night.

With simultaneous kick-offs across Group F, the Leopards, on two points from their first two games, eye a win to stay in the driver’s seat, while the Taifa Stars face elimination if they fall short of a win.

Dismissed as Group F’s whipping boys before the tournament, Tanzania defied expectations and find themselves still in contention for a knockout berth heading into their final match.
Though their opening game was a chastening 3-0 drubbing by Morocco, a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Zambia kept them within touching distance of the other group contenders.

AFCON history has yet to witness a Tanzanian victory, with six defeats and two draws in their eight matches across three editions, including the current one, however, an historic win against DR Congo on Wednesday would present a golden opportunity to break that duck and reach the knockout stage for the first time.

Congo DR’s firepower, especially considering Tanzania’s struggles to keep opponents at bay, could well be the difference at the end of the game. As a result, the Taifa Stars might find themselves outgunned by the Leopards given the immense importance of this clash.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Zambia, Morocco lock horns in Group F

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Morocco players

The Stade de San Pedro prepares to host a drama-laden finale to Group F in the Africa Cup of Nations as Zambia takes on Morocco on Wednesday night.

The Atlas Lions and the Chipolopolo lock horns in a clash where qualification for the round of 16 hangs in the balance.

Back on the AFCON stage after a three-edition absence, Zambia are still chasing their first win in the tournament since their improbable triumph in 2012.

Two opening draws, both by an identical 1-1 scoreline, have dampened the Chipolopolo’s roar, especially the latest disappointment against Tanzania in a game they were widely expected to win.

With two points from two games, the Southern Africans face a win-or-bust scenario against tournament favourites Morocco in their final group clash on Wednesday.

Failure to secure victory could see Zambia eliminated at the group stage for the third consecutive AFCON. However, the historical odds are stacked against them, having beaten Morocco only once in six meetings, losing three times and drawing twice.

Widely tipped as the tournament’s strongest contenders, Morocco are targeting their second AFCON title in history.

The Atlas Lions initially lived up to expectations in their opening match, dispatching group minnows Tanzania by a convincing 3-0 margin. However, their quest for a smooth run hit a snag in their second outing, a frustrating 1-1 draw against DR Congo.

Expect a cagey opening, with both teams wary of exposing vulnerabilities. Morocco’s quality and technical finesse might give them the edge, but Zambia will not go down without a fight. The Atlas Lions have dominated this fixture in the past, and we expect this trend to continue.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Namibia look to bounce back against Mali

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Mali players

Namibia will face Mali at the Laurent Pokou Stadium on Wednesday in the final round of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations group stages.

The Brave Warriors kicked off their Nations Cup campaign with a surprise 1-0 victory over Tunisia, with Deon Hotto heading home the game-winner two minutes from normal time. They were, however, thrashed 4-0 by South Africa in their second group game and could have no real complaints about the result after managing just one shot on target throughout the match. Namibia sit third in their group with three points from an obtainable six and will advance to the knockout stages with a win on Wednesday while a draw could also suffice.

Head-to-Head

There have been six meetings between the two teams. Namibia have won just one of those games while Mali have won four times. There has been one draw between the two teams.

The two teams last faced off in an AFCON qualifying clash back in November 2020 which the Malians won 2-1.

Namibia’s latest result ended a three-game unbeaten streak and they will be looking to bounce back this week. They have, however, endured a tough run of results in this fixture historically and could struggle here.

Credit: sportskeeda.com

South Africa take on Tunisia in Group E

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South Africa players

A delicately poised Group E in the Africa Cup of Nations will draw to a close this week, and South Africa will look to book their place in the knockout round when they take on Tunisia on Wednesday evening.

Mali currently leads the group from South Africa with four points and will progress with a draw or better against third-placed Namibia in the other match, while Tunisia must win here to keep their hopes of qualifying alive. South Africa finally got on the board in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations as they come into this match after securing a decisive 4-0 win against their neighbours Namibia at this venue on Sunday evening.

Having rebounded from their first match, a 2-0 defeat to Mali, Bafana Bafana are now in second place, and while the group dynamics may see a draw being good enough to progress to the next round, they will likely target another big performance, which could earn them top spot and a favourable draw in the knockouts.

With all four teams retaining hope of advancing to the knockout stages and Mali facing Namibia at the same time as this match, Tunisia find themselves with the most demanding task as they strive to avert an early exit from the AFCON.

While Tunisia have never lost to South Africa in the past (W2 D1 L0), they have been a long way from their best in this competition. Bafana Bafana, on the other hand, made a huge improvement in their last match from their first and we fancy them to get something from this one, which will be enough to take them to the knockout rounds.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Dome Kwabenya Constituency Fact Checker Exposes Adwoa Safo’s Inconsistent Claims and Factual Inaccuracies

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Sarah Adwoa Safo - MP for Dome-Kwabenya
The Dome Kwabenya Constituency Fact Checker has noted with considerable interest some claims being made by the incumbent  Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, to the Dome Kwabenya NPP delegates ahead of the Party’s parliamentary primaries. This was made sometime in January, 2024, and published online by thechronicle.com.gh.
The Constituency Fact Checker, having found the claims of Adwoa Safo to be factually inaccurate, hereby exposes these inaccuracies and sets the records straight.
Claim 1:
Adwoa Safo claims that she (as the Party’s Parliamentary Candidate) is always more appealing to the electorates of Dome Kwabenya than the Party’s Presidential Candidate, and that, this is reflected in the results of the general elections.
Verdict:
The Fact Checker confirms that in the last general elections (election 2020), Candidate Nana Akufo-Addo secured 78,467 votes (representing 60.58%) whereas Adwoa Safo secured only 75,041 votes (representing 58.35%). Adwoa Safo’s claim is therefore factually inaccurate and the data says it all.
Indeed, the data also shows that with Adwoa Safo as the NPP’s Parliamentary Candidate, the Party’s votes in Dome Kwabenya parliamentary elections have been declining sharply, a trend which is unusual when NPP wins the general election. In 2012 when she first contested, Adwoa garnered 63.75%. Then up to 67.9. %.
However, Adwoa’s popularity has now significantly declined, and in the last elections (2020), she only managed to secure 58% of the votes. While the President got 68%. There is therefore a cause for the NPP to be worried that Dome Kwabenya, which used to be one of the party’s strongholds is gradually slipping through their fingers and almost becoming a 50-50 constituency as between the NPP and the NDC.
Claim 2:
Adwoa Safo claims that upon becoming the party’s parliamentary candidate, she has moved the party’s parliamentary votes in 2012 from 35,000 votes to 78,000 votes in 2020.
Verdict:
The last time Prof Mike Oquaye represented the NPP was way back in 2008 when the total registered voters for the Constituency was only 94,495. He polled 35,321 votes. Adwoa Safo in the last general elections (2020) secured 75,041 votes NOT 78,000 as she is claiming.
Secondly, it is worth pointing out that the rise in the nominal figures is based on the fact that the voter population in Dome Kwabenya has significantly appreciated, moving from 94,495 in 2008 to 173,619 as at 2020, becoming the most populous constituency in the whole country.
So, the 75,041 votes Adwoa garnered in 2020 vis a vis the 35,321 votes garnered in 2008 (12 years earlier) can only be as a result of the significant increase in the voter population of the constituency. That is why the NDC votes also moved from 24,163 in 2008 to 52,262 in 2020. The critical matter is percentage and not numbers to hoodwink.
Everybody is entitled to their opinions, but when it comes to facts, there cannot be two sets of facts. You can play propaganda with everything [including playing sympathy or pity card], but when you try playing propaganda with facts, the data will expose you.

NDC Declare War On Western Togoland

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JOHN BEDIAKO
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Former President John Dramani Mahama

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has fired a ‘warning shot’ at the group calling itself Western Togoland and resolved to render the Volta Region a no-go area for them.

The Deputy Volta Regional Secretary of the party, Bright Egeh, disclosed this to The Chronicle in an exclusive interview on Saturday.

According to him, there is nothing like Western Togoland and that it is an imaginary creation by a set of faceless persons who have decided to manipulate some people to make the country ungovernable.

The Deputy Secretary continued that the NDC’s resolve is based on the fact that it is only in an election year that the supposed group raises its voice to the amazement of majority of the people.

He further stated that the activities of the supposed body are directed at intimidating the citizens in the region, considered as the party’s World Bank, to show apathy during the upcoming general elections.

According to Mr Egeh, the party has its own intelligence and would deal ruthlessly with anyone who wants to foment trouble in order to suppress votes in the region.

A press release from Western Togoland Governing Council dated January 18, 2024 and signed by H.E A.K Ametepe, Governor, announced the launch of a special task force.

The said release also admonished the general public to STAY AWAY from any gathering in the name of voting in the territory of Western Togoland henceforth.

The deputy NDC Secretary, who is not happy with the development, said his outfit expects the state intelligence bodies to pick up signals on the dissidents in their formative periods, rather than unleash the military to intimidate the voters.

On November16, 2019 the Homeland Study Group Foundation, at a function opposite the Police Training School, in Ho, declared independence from Ghana. The group’s leader, Papavi, an octogenarian, managed to escape after he was declared wanted.

In the morning of September 3, 2020 commuters on the Accra-Somanya highway and Akuse Junction, Tema-Akosombo road discovered the presence of signboards erected to announce entry into Western Togoland. On the same day, the police went to remove the illegal sign posts.

On September 25, 2020 some members of the secessionists blocked the Tema-Ho highway at Akrade and Juapong, Tema-Aflao road, around Sogakope and Sege-Aveyime/Mepe road, where the insurgents attacked Police Stations, freed suspects in custody, who they replaced with the officers on duty.

The Sogakope Police Commander’s official vehicle was ambushed and shot in the process, with the attackers bundling him to the Battor Catholic Hospital.

The navy from the Naval Training Command at Nutekpor, who responded to a distress call, engaged and dismissed a number of the dissidents, which similar situation report was recorded in the Juapong area.

In the night of Tuesday September 29, 2020 persons believed to be of the secessionist group attacked the STC yard in the  Ho Township , subjected a number of drivers to beatings and crowned their lawlessness by setting ablaze a bus at the terminal.

Early last year, their aged leader died of natural cause in a health facility near Akatsi.

Mahama has disappointed us -Ekumfi chiefs

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MAXWELL OFORI
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Kobina Biney, Ebusuapanyin of the Odomaa clan of Ekumfi (standing), addresses on behalf of the delegation at Jubilee House

The presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, is not in the good books of chiefs and people of Ekumfi, in the Central Region.

They are unhappy with the former president for failing to fulfill promises he made to the family, upon which they agreed for the late President, John Evans Atta Mills, to be buried in Accra.

The chiefs and elders made this known when they paid a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House last week.

“Before the family agreement to allow the mortal remains of the late former president to be buried in Accra, the Mahama administration made several promises to the family of the late Atta Mills and the people of Ekumfi.

“However, they failed to fulfill any of these promises. Not a single one of the promises they made was fulfilled. The Atta-Mills family is displeased with these failed promises made by the John Mahama administration,” Kobina Biney, Ebusuapanyin of the Odomaa Clan of Ekumfi, said to President Akufo-Addo, on behalf of the delegation.

APPRECIATION

The delegation visited Jubilee House to register their appreciation to President Akufo-Addo and his government for the honour done the late former President John Evans Atta-Mills, by renovating his final resting place at the “Asomdwe Park” in Accra.

According to the family, they were pleased with the facelift given to the resting place of the former president, John Evans Atta Mills, their son.

“We went to see “Asomdwe Park,” the final resting place of the late Professor Evans Atta Mills, we laid our wreath and performed all the necessary rites. We are indeed pleased with what you have done to honour our son and beloved late former President.

“We wish to say a big thank you,” Ebusuapanyin Kobina Biney added.

However, like Oliver Twist, the delegation asked for more. They requested the government of Akufo-Addo to consider fulfilling at least one of the promises the Mahama administration made to them.

“If just one is done for us, we will use it to remember you, after you have left office as President of the Republic,” the Ebusuapanyin pleaded.

He took advantage of the opportunityto establish that the late former President John Evans Atta Mills is not from Cape Coast, as “some of our family members have painted the picture, that he hailed from Cape Coast, but that cannot be true.”

AUTOPSY REPORT

The family of the late former President, during the visit, also appealed to President Akufo-Addo to use his high office to assist them in retrieving the autopsy report that was carried out, following the death of their beloved son on 24 July, 2012.

Late former President John Evans Atta-Mills

Nana Enyimfua III, Kyedomhem of EkumfiAsaman, who was part of the delegation, speaking on behalf of the family said 12 years after the death of the former President, it is unacceptable that the family has not been given an autopsy report.

“Since I was enstooled as the Queenmother, I have not seen any autopsy report in the hands of the family. It is a very difficult situation that the family and I have. We are unable to explain to anyone the actual cause of death of the former President because we do not have the official autopsy report.

“It is only right that we know exactly what the doctor found as the cause of his death. To this end, I wish to plead with your government for and on behalf of my entire family, to assist us in securing the autopsy report,” Nana Enyimfua III said.

“If the autopsy report is obtained, it will go a long way to put the family’s continued confusion on the cause of death of the late Atta Mills to rest and the future generations of our family will have a source document to use in explaining to their children about the real cause of death of the former President” the Queenmother added.

CLAIMS OF KEEA MP

Mr Koku Anyidoho, Chief Executive Officer of the Atta Mills Institute, who was part of the delegation, observed that but for the inquiry of the Queenmother, he would have loved to stay completely away from the issue of the autopsy report on the death of his former boss.

Mr Anyidoho further indicated that he is personally not aware of any autopsy report on the cause of death of the former President.

However, he said he is aware that the brother of the late former President and the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) constituency in the Central Region, Mr Samuel Atta-Mills, is on record to have said that he has an autopsy report and that he knows the cause of the death of his brother.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

To the request of the family for President Akufo-Addo to do something significant in the Ekumfi traditional area in fulfillment of the failed promises made to them by the John Mahama government which will also serve as a monument in remembrance of him after he leaves office on January 7, 2025 President Akufo-Addo said he accepts the challenge and he will do all within his power to meet the expectations of the chiefs and elders of Ekumfi, in his last year in office.

ASOMDWE PARK

Responding to the family’s thank you gesture on the redevelopment of the final resting place of the late professor Evans Atta Mills, President Akufo-Addo said the late former President was his good friend back in school at the University of Ghana.

He added that even though they had different ideological difference, it was only right that the man who was his contemporary is given a befitting resting place, especially when he lost his life right on the line of duty, serving his country at the highest office of the land.

President Akufo-Addo in response to the request of the family sought to get clarity on whether or not an autopsy was carried out on the body of the late former President after he died on 24 July 2012.

He noted that it comes to him as a surprise that a basic document such as an autopsy report, after the death of such an important personality like the former President, should be a subject of controversy.

ASSURANCE TO ACT

President Akufo-Addo, after the submission of Koku Anyidoho, told the delegation that he will give the request of the Atta Mills Family all the necessary attention it deserves, because he considers it to be a legitimate demand.

He added that since Professor Atta Mills died as a sitting President, his autopsy report should be a matter of public record and not a secret.

Zed Media launched in Accra

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Dr Mensah Otabil speaking at the launch
Mr Kwame Pianim, an economist addressing the gathering

A new multimedia group, Zed Multimedia, has been launched in Accra with the aim to deliver compelling and high-quality content across its various platforms – The New Finder Newspaper, Zed 101.9fm, Zed TV, Zedonline and Zed Tech.

The media house is committed to professionalism, integrity, diversity and innovation, with a focus on Lifestyle, Leisure and Business (LLB) content.

Prominent Speakers at the official launch took the opportunity to express their concerns about the current state of media practice and public discourse in Ghana.

The prevailing trend of framing every issue along partisan lines, coupled with a perceived lack of depth in public discussions, was the key theme addressed by the speakers.

The Speakers lamented the dominance of partisan politics in shaping public narratives, noting that it often leads to a polarised and less constructive discourse.

They emphasised the need for media houses to rise above political affiliations and focus on providing balanced, informed and unbiased information to the public.

The Speakers highlighted what they referred to as the “poverty of knowledge” in the public sphere, despite the multitude of voices and information sources available.

They expressed concern about the quality of public discussions and urged media houses to play a more significant role in elevating the level of discourse, by providing well-researched and insightful content.

The falling standards of media practice were also discussed, with Speakers urging media organisations to prioritise accuracy, integrity and professionalism.

They emphasised the importance of maintaining high ethical standards in journalism to rebuild trust with the audience.

Prof. Stephen Adei

Renowned public servant, educationist, and academic, Professor Stephen Adei, challenged management Zed Multimedia to be a voice of integrity in the media landscape of Ghana.

Speaking at the official launch of Zed Multimedia in East Legon, Accra, Professor Adei emphasized the importance of guarding against misinformation and falsehood across all media platforms.

He urged the management of Zed Multimedia to take a strong stance against misreporting and intentional misinformation, highlighting the irreversible damage caused by spreading false information.

He stated that anyone deliberately misinforming on Zed Multimedia should face consequences, including outright dismissal, emphasizing the responsibility of the media house to provide accurate and credible information.

“Anyone who deliberately misinforms on Zed Multimedia must be fired because what goes out does not change. You cannot change false information,” he stated emphatically.

Drawing from personal experience as a victim of misinformation, Prof. Adei said that certain misrepresentations made about him in the media space many years ago, though proven false, still persist in online search engines.

He underscored the long-lasting impact of misinformation and stressed the need for media organisations to prioritise accuracy.

Mr Kwame Pianim

On his part, Economist Kwame Pianim emphasised professionalism, balance and dynamism in the media. He maintained that “the media, the fourth estate of the realm, is critical for checks and balances and in any democracy, the absence of a vibrant dynamic media, committed to truth and integrity spells trouble”.

He lamented the falling standards on the Ghanaian media landscape and the general societal decadence and prayed that “the coming of Zed Multimedia will change the narrative.”

Dr. Pastor Mensah Otabil

Founder and General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Dr. Pastor Mensah Otabil, challenged Zed Multimedia to dare to be different in a heavily stereotyped media environment in Ghana, if it wants to succeed.

He said the new media organization would have to be extremely innovative and excellent to thrive in a media market that has already been defined, to become a media house of choice.

“You cannot rest one moment because the forces that drive your market are going to try to drive you to follow the general trend that everybody is manifesting “, he stated.

To achieve this, he said management and staff of the organization must be ready to bring on new and innovative ideas and be in a pole position to be able to train themselves to think differently.

“It is possible in an environment where everybody is going one way and for you to go the opposite way and still thrive,” he emphasized.

He noted, for example, that the media house can decide to start with a totally different set of programming and to do everything the opposite, way from what has come to be known as the winning formula for radio and television in Ghana.

“There is nothing that says you should have politicians coming to speak on your morning show. You can decide never to invite any parliamentarian or any NDC OR NPP on your show and still be very successful. It is going to be tough but

Nana Osafo Kantanka

Nana Osafo Kantanka, Executive Chairman of Zed Multimedia, outlined the media outfit’s commitment to delivering a distinct blend of lifestyle, leisure and credible business programming during the launch in Accra.

Emphasising the platform’s dedication to providing good, sustainable services, Nana Kantanka expressed Zed Multimedia’s commitment to excellence and improving the quality of human life.

He articulated the vision of driving Zed into a global, ethical, sustainable media of choice, emphasising the goal of becoming the most respected entity in the media space.

This vision involves the creation of innovative and captivating content that inspires, educates and entertains the global audience within the framework of impartiality, accuracy and independence.

Nana Kantanka highlighted Zed Multimedia’s unique focus on Lifestyle, Leisure and Business (LLB), placing the well-being of listeners, readers and viewers at the core and providing them with avenues for recreation.

The platform aims to distinguish itself by promoting, protecting, and sustaining its business while offering a new and compelling media experience for its audience.

NPP cautions rank and file against making uncomplimentary statements in media

By
SEBASTIAN R. FREIKU
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Justin Frimpong-Kodua, NPP General Secretary

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has cautioned the rank and file of the party to desist from making any sensitive statements against Nananom.

The General Secretary of the party, Justin Frimpong-Kodua, who gave the admonition at the press conference at the party Secretariat, in Kumasi yesterday, said the party has history, tradition and ideology, which spans from the UGCC, NLM, UG, UP, PP, PFP and currently NPP era, and that its history has been supported by the good people of Ashanti region.

The party Scribe explained that as a result of this background, the party holds undiluted respect for the Asantehene and Nananom, hence the need for the rank and file of the party to desist from making uncomplimentary statements.

Mr. Frimpong-Kodua, who was obviously reacting to alleged unsavory remarks by the Ashanti regional chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako recently, said no one has the right to go on radio and social media in general to make comments about Nananom.

According to him, the leadership of the party is on the ground to ensure that the respect for Nananom remains intact and ensures harmony.

The General Secretary, touching on development projects in the Ashanti region, emphasised that the NPP continues to hold the Ashanti region as a crucial component of the party and assured that ongoing projects would be duly commissioned.

He mentioned particularly that, the Kumasi International Airport would be commissioned for international flights by the close of the second quarter of the year, adding that contractors are on site to ensure that major projects like the Boankra Inland Port and the Maternity Block of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital are completed.

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