Accra, Jan. 10, GNA – Mr Kenneth Kwabina Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Dalex Financing and Leasing Company has called on media practitioners to resume their prime responsibility of education and promotion of economic development this year.
« The media must reduce the shouting, fake news, name calling and lying, associated with the political diatribe that now dominates the media space, » Mr. Thompson, stated during a fundraising dinner at the Christ the King Parish Hall in Accra to mark the 80th anniversary of the Catholic Standard Newspaper.
The event was on the theme, « The Catholic Standard: 80 years of Promoting Integral Human Development in Ghana ».
Mr Thompson said « …journalism has failed in leading in the civic education of the people as the discourse in the media has become overly political and incomprehensible. »
He said Africa grew faster than any other continent in the world in the decade between 2005 and 2015. It grew by 50 per cent compared to the world average of 23 per cent growth.
He noted that, « Africa Rising has reached an inflexion point; the growth has stalled and one of the reasons for this is the failure of journalism to educate and provide the compass for the people.
« It is almost as if there is nothing else to talk about in the media apart from politics and entertainment. The focus is not on what really matters to the people such as access to quality education, potable water, improve health care, among others ».
He called for a concerted effort for the revival of the once vibrant newspaper (the Catholic Standard) to contribute in making journalism more relevant and championing the socio-economic development of the country.
« …many of you may recall that we were desperate for a copy of the newspaper on Sundays because it spoke for the voiceless, reflected the truth and championed the socio-economic development as well as civic education of the people … « , he remarked.
Mr Ambrose Derry, the Minister of the Interior, who represented the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the event, also praised the newspaper and the Catholic Church for their impact on society.
He said « …the Catholic Standard was candid and very consistent with speaking the truth. The church also made great interventions in different areas, including education and health. Your contributions to the progress of the country are remarkable ».
Dalex Finance, established and licensed by the Bank of Ghana (BoG), is wholly Ghanaian owned and operated. Over the last four years, the company’s turnover had grown by over 100 per cent on a compound annual basis. Dalex Finance has a nationwide operation. It employs over 3000 persons and operates 10 branches and 120 sales points.
GNA
