Graphic meets political parties over 2016 election coverage
The Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) as part of measures to fulfill it's constitutional mandate to provide equal access to all political parties and presidential candidates, has announced a schedule of activities for the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections.
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Among activities GCGL wants to engage in with the political parties, are town hall meetings scheduled for four regional capitals in August and September, interactions with political parties and their candidates, publishing of manifestos, coverage of regional and national campaign launches and one-on-one interviews with presidential candidates.
Speaking on Monday at an interaction with representatives of various political parties, Mr Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh, the Director of Newspapers of the GCGL said the constitution in Atricle 55, clause 11 and 12 mandates all state-owned media to give coverage to the activities of all political parties.
He said, the decision of the GCGL to deliberate with the political parties on the best way to cover the elections is in line with this constitutional provision.
Details of Graphic Schedule
He said, "In 2012, we organised town hall meetings, the meetings were for the political parties and the electoral bodies to interact with the public on their plans and how to maintain peace throughout the election period.
"This year, we will hold four town hall meetings, the first one will be in Bolgatanga on August 24 we will find a suitable place to hold the meeting but we need to inform you in advance."
He added that there will be similar town hall meetings in Sunyani on August 31, Koforidua on September 7 and Cape Coast on September 14.
Mr Ayeboafoh added that GCGL will attach a reporter to each presidential candidate as soon as their cadidatures are confirmed by the Electoral Commission, and the reporters will be with them till the declaration of the results.
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Attendance of political parties
The meeting was attended by representatives of nine political parties including; Akua Donkor and Richard Botwchway (Ghana Freedom Party - GFP), Mercy Blanc Aidoo and Clement Lawson (National Democratic Party - NDP), Murtala Mohammed, Partrick Armah and Paa Kow Ackon (Progressive People's Party - PPP), Aziz Gomda and Kadri Abdul Rauf (Convention People's Party - CPP), Nana Armah Serwa (United Progressive Party - UPP).
The rest are, George Amoah (Great Consolidated People's Party - GCPP), Prince Zakaria (Money Free Party -MFP), Jerry Owusu and William Annor (Independent People's Party - IPP), James Asante (National Democratic Congress) and Bernard Ntow (People's National Convention).
Commendation by political parties
The Director of Communications of the CPP, Kadri Abdul Rauf commended the GCGL for the initiative, pledging the support of his party to make the scheduled activities a success.
The Director of Communications for the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), James Asante advised that reporters of media organisations identify themselves to authorities of political parties anytime they were assigned to cover programmes in order that the parties can appropriately accommodate and protect them.
Special packages for political parties
The Director of Marketing and Sales at the GCGL, Ms Shirley Acquaah-Harrison disclosed that the company has special packages for political parties who intend to advertise the candidates before and during the elections.
Watch a video of the meeting below :
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