President Akufo-Addo’s assurance of government’s determination to maintain the country’s enviable democratic credentials and territorial integrity before, during and after the December 7 general election is one of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Monday.
The Graphic reports that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured Ghanaians of the Government’s determination to maintain the country’s enviable democratic credentials and territorial integrity before, during and after the December 7 general election.
He said Ghana had gained global recognition in the West African Sub-region as an epitome of democracy and tranquility, making her a beacon of peace for investment attraction and retention.
The President indicated that the country would not slip into political turmoil to erode the years of socioeconomic and democratic gains under his reign as President of the Republic of Ghana.
Speaking at a grand durbar of the Chiefs and people of Effutu (Winneba) in the Central Region to climax the annual Aboakyer Festival on Saturday, President Akufo-Addo appealed to all to flee from acts that would mar the peace of the country.
The weeklong festival was celebrated on the theme: “Promoting Tradition and Development through Aboakyer Celebration.”
The festivities commenced on Saturday, April 27, with musical show, clean-up exercises in communities and homes, health walk, regatta/tug-of-war, and marathon races among other activities.
President Akufo-Addo said elections were not a political stage for fighting, adding: “Let’s contribute our quota for a peaceful and successful election to protect our democracy.”
“The world awaits the outcome and events leading to, during and after the December 7 polls, as a result, all must show political maturity and carry out routine works in peace to prove to the world that Ghana is a peaceful country,” he said.
The newspaper says that Ghana has seen a positive jump in the latest World Press Freedom Index, climbing 12 places to 50th globally.
However, the World Press Freedom Index 2024 published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said concerns remain about increasing political pressure and a lack of accountability for attacks on journalists.
The section on Ghana on the RSF website said the West African nation boasted a vibrant media landscape with over 100 outlets, thanks to a legal framework guaranteeing press freedom. However, it said this very freedom has led to the rise of partisan media outlets owned by politicians, skewing content and fueling political bias.
Despite a high degree of pluralism among private media houses like Joy News and Peace FM, the report said the government’s influence on the National Media Commission, responsible for media regulation, raises concerns.
Additionally, it highlighted a 2023 incident where the ruling party pressured a private channel to include its members in broadcasts highlighted a growing trend of political interference.
It said while the 2019 Right to Information Act empowers journalists, a fee for requesting information in non-English languages creates a barrier. The economic realities of the media sector further complicate matters. Financial struggles lead to low salaries and limited resources, forcing some new outlets to shut down. State-owned media, on the other hand, benefit from government advertising, raising questions about editorial independence.
The report adds that culturally, Ghana offers a relatively tolerant environment for journalists to cover all subjects. However, safety concerns have emerged in recent years.
The Ghanaian Times reports that in a bid to bolster the relationship between Australia and Ghana, the Australian Ghanaian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AGCCI) organized a remarkable event titled “Building Bridges” on May 1st, 2024, in Sydney.
The gathering, aimed at fostering stronger ties between the two nations, brought together notable speakers, including Her Excellency Berenice Owen-Jones, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, and Hon. Charishma Kaliyanda, MP, Member for Liverpool.
Setting the tone for the event was a captivating cultural display by the Salaka Dance Ensemble, which not only entertained but also served as a symbolic gesture of unity and collaboration.
Bishop Richard Asamoah Boateng, President of AGCCI, extended a warm welcome to the attendees, emphasizing the Chamber’s unwavering dedication to facilitating trade and investment between Australia and Ghana. His address laid the groundwork for the insightful discussions that followed.
The highlight for the event was the keynote address delivered by Her Excellency Berenice Owen-Jones, who underscored the abundant opportunities for the collaboration between the two nations. On her part, Hon. Charishma Kaliyanda conveyed a message of solidarity, again emphasizing the importance of strengthening bonds across borders.
Attendees gained valuable insight into AGCCI’s mission to promote bilateral trade, investment and cultural exchange through a presentation by the Country Director, Jon Attakora.
Ghanaian businesses have been urged to invest more in packaging to bring strong reputation and identities to enable them to compete favourably on the local and international markets.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Osafohene Dr Afua Asabea Asare, who made the call at the opening of the second edition of Propak Ghana 2024 in Accra, said studies across the world had revealed a positive relationship between the quality of packaging and consumer purchasing behaviour.
The three-day programme, an exhibition organised by the Montegomery Group Afrocet for players in the packaging, plastics, food processing, and printing industries, which ended last Thursday, was attended by about 120 exhibitors across 20 countries with 2, 500 visitors.
Alongside the exhibition were seminars and conferences to discuss new trends and technologies in the packaging sector.
Dr Asare explained that a product’s packaging often influenced consumer’s decisions when selecting products to buy.
“The impact of product packaging on consumer buying behaviour is a well-documented area of study that offers critical insights for all of us as we aspire to reach global markets,” she stated.
Dr Asare, among others, said the programme stood as a testament to the country’s commitment to championing excellence, building strong brands and promoting sustainable economic growth.
GIK/APA