Mr. Ayariga addressing the Ethiopian delegation
An eight-member delegation from Ethiopia on Monday, June 23, 2014 paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, at his office in Accra.
The delegation, headed by Mr. Hadush Kasso, Director of Communications and Media Research was on a study tour in Ghana to acquaint themselves of information dissemination, information management as well as free press and the proper usage of social media in helping position Ethiopia’s media at the forefront like Ghana.
The objective of the visit, according to Mr. Kasso, was to strengthen the bilateral relationship between both countries as well as broaden their knowledge on democratic institutions by taking cues from Ghana’s proven democratic credence.
He hailed Ghana for not only setting herself apart in democracy but also in information dissemination through all positive means, adding that “we are also ready to adopt the best different media practices of Ghana to make Ethiopia’s media also worthwhile”.
Mr. Mahama Ayariga, in turn, stressed on the need for the citizenry to build their capacities in the use of social media, describing it as a good platform for building interactions for development.
He said when people pay attention and pick up the requisite skills as well as the knowledge that comes with social media in the dissemination of information, it helps a country not only to thrive in democracy but in central and economic development.
He noted that the democratic growth of Ghana could be traced to as far back as 1992, when leaders strongly believe in free and independent media which has been a tool to Ghana’s rich central democracy.
“Leaders viewed the dissemination of information to central success, hence the free flow of information being central to the efficiency of political systems and improvement of social issues in Ghana”, he said.
Mr. Ayariga observed that as a result of free press and free expression enshrined in the 1992 Constitution media houses in the country operate freely without setbacks from anyone.
“There are government owned media houses but they are not controlled by government instead, government also fights for space in the … media houses like any other person”, he said.
He, however, challenged the delegation to study the rich culture of Ghana’s press freedom and emulate it in their country to boost the long standing friendship history that exist between the two countries for better collaborative work efforts.
As part of the tour, a presentation on information management architecture was organized for the visiting Ethiopian delegation.
By: Prince Asare, Diplomatic Call
