[ 2016-09-02 ]

Director of Newspapers at Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh

Don’t abuse privileges of democracy — Boadu-Ayeboafoh

Political party enthusiasts have been advised not
to abuse the privileges of democracy, since it has
the tendency of plunging the country into chaos.











Speaking during a radio interview on Sunyani’s
Metro FM last Wednesday, the Director of
Newspapers at Graphic Communications Group Limited
(GCGL), Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, urged enthusiasts
not to allow their political party affiliations
and fanaticism to cloud their judgement as the
country was preparing for the polls in December.

According to him, democracy provides an
opportunity for idea sharing and consensus
building but not for throwing words at each
other.

“Democracy isn’t about war of words but giving
everybody the fair opportunity to express their
opinions on issues. At the end, democracy ensures
peace and progress. It is about having patience
for other parties to express themselves and taking
lessons from it; but if we fail to reach a
consensus, then democracy has failed and peace
will be threatened,” he said.

The radio interview formed part of activities of
the Graphic Town Hall meeting in the Brong Ahafo
Region.

Town Hall meeting

The meeting in Sunyani, which was the second in
the series of Town Hall meetings by the GCGL for
the 2016 Election, is aimed at giving the
electorate and political parties the platform to
interact and pledge peace.

Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh also advised party enthusiasts
to be honest to themselves in their daily
discourse.

“No matter your party affiliation, when there is
progress or development in society, we all enjoy
the fruits thereof. So why don't we all come
together and agree on the way forward for our
country. When our judgement is clouded by party
colours, we fail to acknowledge the facts on the
ground,” he said.

He explained further that, “for example, when
you go to the market, you won't buy an item at a
reduced price because you are affiliated to one
party or the other. We are not in politics to
fight but to sell ideas and ensure progress.”

As a media outlet, Mr Boadu-Ayeboafoh noted that
it was Graphic’s responsibility to ensure that
every political party was given a fair platform to
interact with the electorate. Thus, the need for
the Town Hall meetings.

“So, any time we are getting close to elections
year we recognise that responsibility to ensure
peace,” he added.

Graphic’s responsibility

For his part, the Political Editor of the Daily
Graphic, Mr Kobby Asmah, said Graphic would always
work hand in hand with the political parties to
ensure that the peace of the country was not
threatened.

Explaining the rationale for the Town Hall
meetings, Mr Asmah noted that the idea was to
bring the political parties and their constituents
together to interact so that they could understand
the policy direction of the political parties, as
well as for the constituents to make known their
needs.

Source - graphic.com.gh

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