Graphic launches Regional Spotlight in Wa
The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, has stressed the need for the media to be free and independent in their quest to offer services to the public to enhance the growth and development of the country.
In his view, that was the best way to ensure that the media effectively played their role as the Fourth Estate of the Realm and firmly establish them as an industry that accommodated diverse views objectively and accurately.
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Speaking at the launch of the second edition of the Graphic Regional Spotlight in Wa last Saturday, Dr Salih asked the media not to abuse their independence but ensure proper journalistic practices to enhance the prevailing peace in the country.
The launch, which was attended by various dignitaries, including traditional authorities, politicians, security chiefs, heads of departments and students, was sponsored by GCB Ltd.
Dr Salih urged the media to be circumspect, especially with the approaching elections.
“Indeed, we are just beginning the process of electioneering at both the local and the national levels and, therefore, I wish to use this opportunity to urge the media to be circumspect in their reportage in order not to fuel tension among the political parties or contestants,” he said.
Graphic Regional Highlights
The Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL) has introduced the Graphic Regional Spotlight to ensure that each region is highlighted to expose its potential for the accelerated growth and development of the country.
The Regional Spotlight will give extensive coverage to each region by showcasing and highlighting it to the entire world, with special emphasis on developmental issues, including infrastructure, agriculture, commerce, education, health, tourism and hospitality, sanitation, investment opportunities, among others.
Activities within the region
Dr Salih said the various steps which would ensure that the Regional Referral Hospital became operational were ongoing, explaining that the processes towards the registering and licensing of the facility and getting the regulatory agencies and the needed commodities to make it run as a full hospital were far advanced.
On air travel and connectivity within the country, he said flights from Accra to Wa, operated by African World Airlines, would begin on October 15, this year.
He also reported that progress was being made in the various government flagship programmes and policies in the region, such as Planting for Food and Jobs and One-district, One-warehouse, in the quest to transform the agricultural sector and ensure food security.
“So far this season, 125,450 hectares of farmland has been cultivated with cereals such as maize, rice, sorghum and soya beans by 119,209 farmers across the region.
“I personally visited the Gohoubelle Farms in Sissala-West and the Awo Farms in Daffiama/Bussie/Issa to monitor the agricultural programmes and activities there,” he stressed.
The minister commended the GCGL for its immense support to the development of the region.
The Managing Director of the GCGL, Mr Ato Afful, in a speech read on his behalf at the launch in Wa by the Director in charge of News, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, said the company would use its available resources to penetrate the hinterlands to let their voices be heard.
“We will ensure that the programme is maintained to promote peace for accelerated development,” he said.
He called for closer collaboration of all stakeholders to ensure the success of the programme in order to throw more light on issues, which would assist to accelerate the regions in the right direction.
Mr Afful commended the Chairman of the Board of the GCGL, Professor Kwame Karikari, for mooting the idea of the programme, which was strongly supported by Madam Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, a board member.
He expressed his profound gratitude by the Overlord of the Wala Traditional Area and President of the Wala Traditional Council, Naa Seidu Pelpuo IV, for the warm welcome accorded the team to his palace and the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, as well as the people of Wa.
Wa Overlord
Naa Seidu Pelpuo expressed gratitude to the GCGL for bringing the programme to Wa, in particular, and the region as a whole.
He said it would put the spotlight on the region, which is blessed with arable lands and other natural resources.
It would bring the region into prominence and open up the area for rapid development, he said, and commended the GCGL for using its medium to enlighten the people over the years.
The Overlord noted that the forum was an important platform to sell ideas and collate views from the people to chart the way forward.
He pleaded with all present to offer useful contributions which would inure to the growth of the area and the country at large.
He invited them to take advantage of the rich cultural and tourist attractions, as well as the natural potential of the area and come up with a road map towards the acceleration agenda to move the region forward.
In his welcome address, the Wa Municipal Chief Executive, Alhaji Tahiru Moomin, gave an assurance that the government would continue to put in place viable and sustainable programmes to improve the well-being of all.
He lauded the efforts of the GCGL to assist in attracting investors to the region for accelerated development.
