Ghana media urged to approach matters of National Security with caution

The Media has been asked to be mindful of issues bordering on national security when reporting.

Lieutenant Colonel Awuah–Mantey, in charge of the Airborne Force Detachment at Bawku, who had met with visiting Journalists at Bawku, said as the fourth estate of the realm, the media should be championing development and not creating chaos and confusion in the country.

He expressed disappointment on the “negative reportage of the Bawku ” situation by some Media houses, especially the private ones and blamed such media houses for contributing to the escalation of the conflict in the area and other parts of the country.

“Instead of the Media to be championing conflict management they are rather inflaming passions and worsening the management of conflict in Bawku and making our work difficult”.

He called on the management and editors of media houses especially the electronic ones who carry sensational stories for the sake of making money to be mindful of the lives of people in the area.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Abdulai Musah indicated that the celebration of the Damba festival could not come on because of security reasons and stressed that peace was paramount in Bawku and that the relative peace the area was enjoying could not be compromised.

The MCE who is also the Chairman of the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) told the people of Bawku to never to forget the loss of lives, pain, injury during conflict.

He indicated that there were some opportunists who could have used the festival to cause conflict again and therefore, “it was not for nothing that the National Security placed a ban on the celebration of the festival”.

There a heavy Military and Police presence in Bawku. Public gatherings were not allowed on Saturday.

Source: GNA