Ahead of today’s polls by the Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), the two main presidential contenders have blown their horns in a bid to win the hearts of the voters.
Whereas the incumbent, Edwin Arthur, is trumpeting his achievements after having tasted the position, David Tamakloe, on the other hand, boasts of a rich resume.
David Tamakloe
David is a seasoned journalist with more than 20 years experience, a public interest advocate, a business analyst, and a trained Para-legal. He studied law at the University of Wales, and is an advocate for investigative journalism, which he said opined “the industry urgently needs…”
David worked for the Free Press newspaper as a Senior Reporter and handled the investigative desk. He was subsequently employed as the Deputy News Editor of the Enquirer Newspaper.
Upon his return from the United Kingdom, David edited the Republic Newspaper in 2011.
Currently, he is the Vice President of PRINPAG and a member of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
He is a Co-Founder, Publisher, and Chief Editor of Whatsup News, a digital newspaper.
David holds an MA in Development Communication from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, an LLB from the University of Ghana and a diploma in journalism from IBM&J.
He is the founder of DST Global Consult Limited, Amicus Media, and Origin Variety Farms.
Edwin Arthur
Edwin Arthur is contesting his own achievements as the sitting President of PRINPAG.
Since his election as the President some three years ago, Edwin claims he has served the Association dutifully to the best of his ability and in a selfless manner, and has, as a result, achieved some appreciable results.
Office Accommodation
He said the association did not have an office at the time he took office and it took only him “as the President, who solicited for support single-handedly and managed to provide the current office premises for the Association.”
Adding to that, he looked to the Association owning its own office complex to do away with rent.
According to him, he is currently in contact with the Lands Commission to consider donating bare land to PRINPAG for that purpose.
“As a prelude to that desire, I am in the process of renewing talks with the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, which has made a commitment to support us in that regard,” he stated.
Advertising Distribution
Edwin says he has single-handedly approached the National Petroleum Authority, the National Lottery Authority, and the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to consider involving the executives of PRINPAG in the placement of ads.
He reported that the response has been very encouraging, but swiftly added that he is expected to follow up to seal the discussions “to enable all members to benefit from advert placements as I did in the case of adverts from the EXIMBANK, which benefitted us all without discrimination.”
Political Divide
It is Edwin’s desire to limit politics in the association. He reiterated that it was no secret that members of PRINPAG are divided along political lines.
However, his desire to minimize this, if not completely eliminate it among members, is to ensure that there is cohesion and harmony among them.
“It is also my desire to see the association built on professional lines rather than on partisanship that always creates a wedge between us and divides our ranks,” Edwin, the lawyer, posits.
He acknowledges that this is going to be a difficult task, but there is hope they can collectively achieve it.
Aspirants
The Elections Committee of the PRINPAG at its 4th Sitting on Thursday, August 4, 2022 undertook the vetting of Aspirants vying for positions.
After the vetting process, Mr \Edwin Arthur of the New Independent, the incumbent President, and David Tamakloe of Whatsupnewsghana.com, incumbent Vice-President are candidates for the position of President.
Mr. Mike Antwi Adjei of the Ghanaian Observer is going unopposed for the Vice-President position, and Mr Emmanuel Opare-Djan, of the Daily Democrat incumbent National Organiser.
Mr. Jeorge Wilson Kingson of Ghananewsonline.com.gh is vying for the position of Public Affairs & External Relations Officer.
At the close of the vetting process, the committee said it explained to candidates going to polls unopposed that “there shall be a Yes or No votes. Candidates are required to obtain plus fifty percent (50%) votes before they can be declared eligible winners.”
Meanwhile, after the vetting process however, the 3-member Elections Committee by a unanimous decision disqualified Mr. Elorm Desewu who was vying for the position of Treasurer on technical grounds.
According to the Chairman of the Committee, Ben Assorow, said PRINPAG Members in good standing who are eligible to vote in the elections today are 50.
The voting which commences at 9:00am this morning ends at 3:00pm this afternoon at the PRINPAG Secretariat, Kokomlemle.
