All eyes on Ghana • Says Italian Ambassador

Spread (lead) May 20/2008

Story: Charles Benoni Okine

THE Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Fabrizio De Agostini, has urged presidential candidates and supporters of the political parties contesting the elections not to do anything to jeopardise the goodwill of Ghana in the eyes of the international community.
He noted that all eyes of the international community would be on Ghana to conduct another peaceful, free and fair elections in December.
Mr Agostini — who said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Managing Director of the Graphic Communications Group Limited, Mr Ibrahim Awal, in Accra yesterday — stressed the need for the prevailing peace and stability to be maintained and not compromised.
He said all the various parties had lined up capable candidates who were poised to take the country to another level.
Mr Agostini said each had outlined policies that had made them attractive to the populace, promising a keen competition in December.
He said it was only appropriate that with the maturity shown now, the elections would be conducted freely and fairly.
"But in all these, the media also has a responsibility to ensure that the unity and stability of the country are intact," he added.
Mr Agostini said the media would have to set the right agenda and do unbiased reporting.
He commended the Daily Graphic and the other publications of the company for their objective reportage.
Mr Agostini expressed the hope that other newspapers in the country would emulate that example in the interest of the country.
He announced that the Italian government would increase its support for small and medium-scale enterprises with $20 million to grow their businesses.
"Last year we gave half of that amount but we are increasing it this year because we also share in the idea that the private sector is the drive behind growth," he said.
He said discussions were underway to finalise the modalities and seal other agreements to get the programme rolling.
Mr Agostini said the Italian government was also interested in Ghana's peace-building efforts and pledged more support in that aspect.
Mr Awal, for his part, pledged the commitment of the company to continue doing what was in the best interest of the country.
He said the newspapers of the company strove to offer the political parties a platform to tell the electorate and Ghanaians at large what they could do to better the lives of Ghanaians and asked all of them to take advantage of the opportunity.
"We as a company believe in democracy and we will continue to use the papers to champion that cause," he added.
Mr Awal said the Graphic Dialogue Series instituted a few years back was meant to offer a platform to promote democracy in the sub-region and noted that this year’s dialogue would also be organised in style.