ASANTEHENE CONFERS WITH MEDIA

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu has advised the media to be abreast of approved processes in the selection and enstoolment of chiefs and skins in order to bring social harmony in the country. He said in as much as the media thrives on speed and accuracy in their reportage, there should not be any breach of respect to traditional laws, customs and processes by any journalist or media personnel, so an not to tarnish the honour and dignity of traditional authorities in the country. It is therefore of utmost importance that journalists make the conscious effort to educate themselves on the various traditions and customs to better inform the public especially on chieftaincy matters either through news reportage or discussions on radio and television. Otumfuo Osei Tutu gave the advice when he hosted the media in the Ashanti region to a reception at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi. He underscored the vital role of the media in covering events at the Manhyia Palace. However, nothing should be done to neither tarnish his image as Asantehene nor bring him and the Manhyia Palace into disrepute. Otumfuo Osei Tutu emphasized that he nor Manhyia Palace does not dabble in partisan politics, but will always lend support to the government of the day for speedy development of the country. The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Dr. Roland Afffail Monney noted that Manhyia Palace has no parallel in terms of prestige and is a veritable source of news in Ghana There is therefore the need to find a strategic balance between how journalists cover and report news events from the Manhyia Palace and respect the sanctity of Asante chieftaincy traditions and customs. He expressed gratitude to the Asantehene, for hosting the media fraternity in the region, adding that the gesture shows the importance Otumfuo Osei Tutu attaches to the media. Dr. Monney again expressed the gratitude of the GJA to the Asantehene for the honour he bestowed on the media fraternity as the Guest Speaker at the last GJA Dinner and Awards Night. He proposed that Otumfuo Osei Tutu consider sponsoring a GJA award to extol the importance he attaches to the media. The Asantehene had earlier on met with heads of media houses, news editors and regional correspondents on how to further strengthen relations between the media and Manhyia Palace. It was proposed at the meeting that a press corps be established to provide accurate and objective reportage on events at the Manhyia Palace.