Akoma FM, a subsidiary of Media General in Kumasi, has launched its Election Command Centre to provide trusted, reliable and credible coverage of the forthcoming 2024 general elections.
Managers of the station promised stakeholders that its coverage of the elections would be guided by its editorial policy, hinged on truth, impartiality and accuracy, social responsibility, public interest and the law.
The Election Command Centre was launched by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah with support from the Deputy Defence Minister, Kofi Amankwah Manu, Former Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Yaw Adusei and others at the Central Business District of Kumasi.
The launch was attended by politicians, religious leaders, civil society groups and people from different walks of life as well as management and staff of Media General in Kumasi.
The launching brought business activities in Adum to halt as traders left their wares to take part in the exercise. They were there in their numbers to support the activities.
The Head of Station, Akoma FM, Nana Osei Asare, said the launch indicates the readiness of Akoma FM to bring to viewers, listeners and fans, the news as it happens with unbiased reportage.
He reiterated our commitment to give credible report before, during and after the elections. He said the company has distinguished itself well over the years when it comes to election coverage.
He described the 2024 general elections as critical as the NPP is seeking to break the 8 and NDC wants to renew the mandate of former President John Mahama.
“Media General news occupies a very important position in the media space. For us therefore, there’s no room to disappoint our audiences. To us, the stakes are very high, and we are committed to ensuring that mistakes are minimal, as we bring confidence and hope to our people, and not despair,” Nana Asare stated.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon Simon Osei Mensah, debunked media reports that, there is tension in the region.
He said adequate security measures are in place to ensure peace prevails in the region.
“We have taken the necessary steps to maintain law and order in all the 47 constituencies in the region during the period,”he assured.
He said Ashanti Region is one of the most peaceful regions in the country.
The Deputy Defence Minister, Kofi Amankwah Manu, assured the people of Ghana that, Ghana army as one of the competent armed forces in the sub-region, would fully participate in the general elections to ensure a peaceful and violence-free exercise across the country.
He also expressed the readiness of the military to protect members of the public during the elections.
“We are not the lead organisation, Police Service is the lead, but we are at the periphery to ensure that all activities during the elections are carried out in order. We are also to secure every region to ensure that hoodlums do not destroy the activities of the elections.
The Former Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister under erstwhile, Mahama administration, Samuel Yaw Adusei, refuted claims that NDC members in Ashanti are being intimated.
He said members are going about their political activities without any intimidation. He has downplayed the assertion in the media space that there is disunity among the party ranks and file in the region.
He said their vision and mission going into the 2024 elections is to reclaim power from the ruling NPP to save Ghanaians from the hardship.
“Every household, there are misunderstanding but the key point is when everyone understands how things should go, then so be it, for a common goal which is being focus and execute it accordingly.
So, that does not mean we don’t love ourselves. Thus, the key understanding of the NDC is that we want to win the 2024 elections, so we have to be focused on our capacity,” he stated.
By Benjamin Aidoo
