[ad_1]
General News on Friday, May 3, 2019
Source: ABCnewsgh.com
2019-05-03
Photo file
The government of Ghana has taken another bold step in its effort to improve press freedom in the country and create a pleasant climate for journalists, ABC News Ghana can report.
This follows the state's decision to join other countries in leading and defending the safeguarding and creation of a protective environment for journalists under the auspices of UNESCO. .
ABC News Ghana can confirm that the Permanent Mission of Ghana in New York joined the Group of Friends for the Protection of Journalists on April 29, 2019, joining countries such as France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Cape Verde and 14 other.
This last effort is in addition to the other initiatives and actions taken since the return of the constitutional order in 1992 with a view to establishing freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
Below is the statement providing more details about the group and Ghana's participation.
GHANA JOINS FRIENDS GROUP TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS
On April 29, 2019, the Permanent Mission of Ghana in New York joined with other member states of the United Nations Group of Friends for the Protection of Journalists Around the World to support the efforts of the United Nations of UNESCO in safeguarding and creating a protective environment for journalists.
ABOUT THE GROUP
The Group of Friends for the Protection of Journalists was established in 2016 as a community of countries represented at United Nations Headquarters in New York to strengthen commitments and sensitize Member States to the responsibility of Member States to ensure journalists from other media actors to work without undue interference or intimidation.
The group also collaborates with other organizations such as the International Foundation of Women Journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders for Freedom of Information, to achieve common goals.
This group of friends currently has 19 Member States: Greece, Lithuania, France, Argentina, Ghana, United States, United Kingdom, Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, Jordan, Latvia, Lebanon, Tunisia , Switzerland, Sweden and Uruguay.
The permanent representatives of France, Lithuania and Greece are co-chairs of this group.
GHANA
In line with its commitment to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Government of Ghana has supported efforts to protect journalists and, to this end, has sought to create a favorable climate. to the freedom of the media. . This is supported by chapter 12, article 162, clauses 1 to 6 of the 1992 Ghanaian Constitution, which advocates the freedom of the media and their protection by the state.
Ghana has also amended its laws to better demonstrate the country's commitment to freedom of expression. The repeal of the press license in 1991 and the repeal of the law on criminal defamation in July 2001 are examples. On March 26, 2019, the Ghanaian Parliament adopted the Right to Information Bill. A law that will allow journalists and media professionals to access information without hindrance.
Ghana is internationally recognized as a beacon of democracy in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, partly because of its pluralism and freedom. Indeed, the invitation of the Permanent Mission to join the Group of Friends in New York was due to Ghana's acknowledged commitment. It is also reported that Ghana co-sponsored a landmark resolution at the United Nations on 18 December 2013 on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity.
Ghana's membership in the Group of Friends is one of many such partnerships with which the Permanent Mission is badociated. Ghana is currently a member of the Group of Friends on the Responsibility to Protect; the Group on Accountability, Coherence and Transparency to Reform the Working Methods of the Security Council; and the Group of Friends for the Protection of Children in Armed Conflict. In addition, Ghana chairs the Friends of Gender Group at the United Nations and the Group of Friends of the African Women's Network.
Source link
