POLITICS OF BLACK MAIL-A THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY PART(2)

     Not long ago, i came out with the first part of this piece trying to project at least if not all the views and position of the future leaders of this great nation of ours by cautioning the political mafias of this country.

I have no doubt that the dawn of destroying one person to each other just to get ones favor or the other is gradually crippling into our main stream politics.But what is so disappointing is the caliber of people who are involved and the type of attacks that are being poured out on the victims.Nevertheless we should be mindful of the fact that our stable democracy will be meaningless unless it is devoid of antagonistic and abusive attacks on each other.

Recent to join the race is a personality that i personally revered so much that if not that i have a different destiny than his i would have follow his foot step but regardless of that i still admire him.

I finding it very difficult to believe that we gradually progressing from personality attack to what i call "attacking the intellect".I am not to sure if prerequisite to becoming a flag bearer in any political party in Ghana is to know basic I.C.T.Can some one tell me where we as a country are heading towards?.

Anyway it is said that "to know the road ahead,we must ask those coming"if indeed it is true then can Mr Gentle Giant tell me the challenges he might have gone through or can Dr Boom come to our aid? may be during his time the need and urgency wasn't there or what of the law Professor perhaps he is still in the castle.

In short we "as state men and women" should allow the discerning electorates and delegates to decide for themselves.Let them conclude that because one is short,tall or in the middle or better still whether one needs an I.C.T education before he becomes a president.Indeed i hope the constitutional review committee is reading if not then all the above prerequisites should be considered.

NATHANIEL MENSAH
S.R.C VICE PRESIDENT
GHANA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM
niiequaye@yahoo.co.uk

WEAKNESSES OF THE USES AND GRATIFICATION THEORY

      Uses and gratification is a theory that tries to outline the many reasons the audience have for using the mass media and the type of function the media can play in their lives.It is indeed enfactic without mincing words that this theory can not be without weakneses hence the following.
      The uses and gratification theory rejects the old approach that sees the media as the dominarian agent that easily manipulate the masses.This rejection by the theory i found to be unfortunate because as we speak today the media continue to influence how people eat,dress,walk ,speak and even behave in society.Hence the failure of this theory to recognize this problem create a big shortfall.
Another criticism will also be how the uses and gratification theory perceives the audience as active instead of passive.Here per my own careful analysis, the audience do not in any way contribute to whatever they consume at the end of the day from the media. Therefore the theory referring to them as active is very unfortunate since one can only be active participant in something when they are phisically or other wise proven to have taken part.For instance if a media house sits down,planed a programme,aired that programme and the audience only consume it by watching ,listening or reading how then has the audience actively involved themselves.Hence the conclusion that indeed uses and gratification theory does not exist without weakneses.

CRITICISMS OR DRAWBACKS OF THE AGENDA SETTING THEORY

 After  thoroughly  reading through the agenda setting theory of the media,it is with no doubt that this theory has few challenges that need to be address.For me this challenges can be divided into two main parts and these are the process and identity .These problems are critical because each has implications that might call into question the value of agenda setting theory.
 

 The process problem has to do with the nature of the agenda setting process specifically the degree to which the agenda setting process is automatic and unthinking.This is because,the mass or the audience are faced with the challenge of waking up only to be told what to think for the day and what to discuss.

Identity for me has been a challenge as it asked whether the new concept of attribute agenda setting will become indistinguishable from framing or traditional persuasion research.As it does not give room for the audience to decide which issues should be framed but rather the journalist who worked within the media.The above criticisms or drawbacks are indeed undeniably a force to reckon with as far as the theory of agenda setting is concerned.

POLITICS OF BLACKMAIL: A THREAT TO OUR DEMOCRACY

There is no denying the fact that Ghana has traveled a long way as far as her democracy is concerned and it is only prudent that we preserve what we have now.
The last time i checked from the records as to who is the president of this country,it was not suprising prof.John Evans Attah MIlls' name poped up but then what is this that am hearing?that some people trying as hard as the are to become flag bearers are already behaving as though they are the presidential candidates of their parties.To hell with them! are they the only opposition parties yearning to come back to power?even the noko fio are not talking.
No one should get me wrong,i am only a concerned citizen advocating for free breathing space for the N.D.C government to deliver their better Ghana agenda they promised Ghanaians.We don't want inposters to destruct them and it will be an excuse for them come 2012.
But can some one tell me the type of politics we are introducing into this country?That i "spoil you to a friend and you too you spoil me to a friend"that is what i call a blackmail and i vehemently believe it has no prospect for our fragile democracy.I am suddend by the way some elements within the  N.P.P is going about their campaign in a bid to become the party's presidential candidate.
I am much aware they may not like it but it is to our own benefit and that of the future of this country.Is it because some people think this is their last chance as being speculated?or they are aware they will fail so they want to employ all tactics to emerge victors?or some also think they are in the middle of the rest of the candidates or inexperience but better than others?my God! i hope they are not true because if they are then discerning Ghanaians ought to be alert since a day will come when all will be amaze at what 'politricians'will do to get power in this country as is being done in other neighboring countries.
My advice to the N.P.P is that they should try to restrain those adopting the strategy of blackmail just to win the bid to lead the party and play it safe since it is healthy for our infant democracy.They should not forget we are watching them and at the same time making up our minds


NATHANIEL MENSAH
GHANA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM
niiequaye@yahoo.co.uk. 

CRITICISMS OF THE MEDIA EFFECTS MODEL

After reading through the ''THE TEN THINGS WRONG WITH THE MEDIA EFFECTS MODEL ''by David Gauntlett 1995a, it is obvious to take side with him by agreeing in the following ways;
It is true that the effects model tackles social problems backwards as in the case where criminologist try to explain crime and violence from the point of the media as in most cases the offenders of such crimes and violence have less interest in watching the media hence the deviation from looking at this mistakes from individuals instead of that of the media.

The effect clearly deal with children as inadequate as in psychology children turn to learn faster than adults and hence are ignored from the content of programmes they watch.The media considered it's self as suprior to the audience and try to dictate to them.Without mincing words Gauntlett is right when he says there are ten things wrong with the media

FUNCTIONS OF THE MEDIA

The media in any given society is a very strong tool which in no doubt performs a wide range of functions,these functions can be categorized under the following socio-cultural,political and economic groups.

SOCIO-CULTURAL


1.To entertain the public



2.The media serves as agents of socialization




3.The media serves as glue to society





4.The media set social agenda






5.The media influence opinion in society






6.Th e media mobilized people for a course






7.The media disseminate or make information available to the public.






point 2.THE MEDIA AS AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION:It is no doubt that the media serves as agents of socialization,but the word socialization here goes beyond just knowing each other and making merry.Through the media we as individual members of a given society turn to understand each others way of life and appreciate it.Hence the cultural of tolerance being developed and promoted.




POLITICAL





1. The media performs the watchdog or surveillance function





2.The media educate or teach the public on public matters or things that are related to the or are of national interest.






3. The media also serves as a mediator.









4.The media performs the gatekeeper role.






5.The media serves as an investigator.







6.The media is a platform of ideas.





7.The media creates awareness.




8.The media agitates for change.





9.The media serves as a platform to analyze.






point 1.THE MEDIA PERFORMS THE WATCHDOG OR SURVEILLANCE FUNCTION:Politically,the media among other institutions that exist in a society or a country seems to be very vibrant in monitoring and keeping an eye on the activities of other state institutions especially those that manage the affairs of the ordinary citizens such as the executive,legislature and the judiciary among other government agencies.Hence it is very imperative for the media to perform such function as the watchdog and the surveillance role.




ECONOMIC



1.The media serves as a source of employment.

point 1. THE MEDIA AS A SOURCE OF EMPLOYMENT:Employment over the years has been the headache for many governments especially those in the developing world hence lifting up of part of that responsibility by private investors who invest in the media and in turn provide employment opportunity for legitimate graduate journalists and other such individuals who qualify to be employ in the media and other wise will have been a liability on the society.

WISHING THE N.P.P WELL-----LEASSONS FROM THE PAST

It is undeniable that the New Patriotic Party for some years now since its existence as a political party has been a peaceful political party despite the numerous internal power struggles that has characterized it.
The time is again here for the N.P.P to prove to its allied that they are and can be a vibrant opposition.
The question then is whether the party can exactly calm all nerves down as everyone that is in government or opposition are patiently waiting.I believe as a true Ghanaian and a patriotic citizen for that matter the only thing i can do is to wish the opposition well in their expedition to critically make the right choice in assembling the needed and competent leadership for 2012 general election.
I will be very shy of those who are aware but are pretending not to know that the N.P.P is only preparing and poising themselves for the 2012 general election of which to me and i believe to other many Ghanaians,it is only faith that will decide.
Listening to Jake Obitsebi Lamptey a staunch member of the party and an aspirant for the party's chairmanship position the last time he appeared on Paul Adom Otchere's Good Evening Ghana programme on Metro Television,it is obvious the N.P.P has a clean sheet when it come to organizing successful conferences which eventually led them to victory in 2000 general election.
without mincing my words i will like to add my small still voice to that of many Ghanaians who love peace,unity and progress for our beloved country Ghana in wishing the New patriotic party a successful conference which will eventually be a victory to Ghana's vibrant opposition.

GO SLOW "BUT SURE"

Indeed president prof. John Evans Attah Mills has performed creditably well a constitutional duty bestowed upon him by article 67 of the 1992 constitution of the republic of Ghana.I must admit this years state of the nation address is exceptional since the president took office in January 2009.The address has indeed highlighted and disapproved the notion that the Attah mills led government is a non performing administration.
There have been few "murmurings'' when the address was been delivered and one will clearly see the obvious disagreement within the factions who made those noise.
The learned professor disagreed with those who thought the nation was doing bad but rather said "the state of the nation is good" comparing the state of the nation to when he took over from the Kufour led administration and added that it is "so far much better".
It is clear not to contradict the prof,because i believe there has been a lot of improvements within the last one year the Attah mills led government took over and that is not to say that the Kufour led government did nothing but credit must be given to who it is due.
Freedom of expression and fair criticism was among other things i will also agree has improve but i found wisdom in his advice that it should come or be balanced with responsible citizenship.
One cannot admit the slow but progressive nature of this government within the last one year without emphasizing on the appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against all major currencies in the world as far as the economy is concerned, and agriculturally, abolishing the pair trolling practices on our major water bodies,solving the long over due premix fuel problem for our fisher folks among other indicators that speak for themselves.
Strikingly indeed is the fact that the regime in which Napoleon made for himself 50 CENT like chain as the highest national honor will be replaced with the old Nkrumah like highest national award.Certainly the old prof. has been kind indeed not to ask those awarded what used to be the highest award to return them but to keep them.Could this be an indication of an African leader with a different?.In an era where most Africa leaders are either extending their mandate,imposing their choice of candidate on the majority,leaving for treatment of severe illness without delegating powers to their vice or dissolving parliament unconstitutionally,Attah seems totally different,if Napoleon were to be anywhere nearer he will indeed not be happy.Well done uncle Fifii i only hope you will continue like this and even "most better" than this by putting all the mouth watering future plans like the housing projects,decentralization agenda and many others into action.Indeed go slow but sure

DOING WHAT WE LIKE DOING BEST

Just a few months ago when my article appeared in the daily graphic,i was very much excited and at the same time very sad because my advises will not be taken since as a nation we like doing what we like doing best.
For how long shall we wait, put our hands in our belly and watch our hard built state institutions collapsed.Not long ago it was the foreign ministry and now the former president Rawlings' and the poor family who knows who the next victim may be i will try for once to be pessimistic for all you know the castle may be the next.
I am not surprised when certain elements within the nation have already started pointing blaming figures at the opposition or position what ever it is there are people considered to exist like that.Recent fire out breaks are not different from the former and the most recent is definitely not,what we should be doing as a nation is to seriously take proactive measures before it is too late or never.
The question whether there were exploations in the Rawlings' house before the incident is and will not solve the issue.It is again very disgusting to listen to people some of us thought should know better sat on radio and make certain derogatory remarks which are not relevant and healthy to national development.It is true the victim may not be like or love by many within the other side of the table but not withstanding all He is the former president and the sustainer of the democracy we all enjoy today. Buy into this or not this is my own personal opinion and i hope i am entitled to it.It is said that when a child defecate on your thighs you don't use knife to cut it out.
Nevertheless the day 14th February 2010 will forever be remembered by the Rawlings' and his sympathizers.May be that is his share of the valentine's day.My sympathies MR. BOOM !!!!!!!!!!!

ANOTHER FIRE GUT?

Hundreds and thousands of millions of cedis have been destroyed as a result of previous and recent fire guts more especially in the public sector at the detriment of ordinary tax payers.This misfortune has not occurred without pulling along properties and lives of innocent Ghanaian who are dedicated to their duty.
It can not be said without a reference to the disaster which happened barley three months ago at the Foreign ministry.Nevertheless it is obvious that National Commission on Civic Education and Electoral Commission have had their share of the menace.So my question then is who's turn will it be next time,should we wait for another casualty?
This clearly is not to sound very pessimistic but i am hopeful government is learning its lessons and will not allow our yet to be make strong institutions to be destroyed by refuting future occurrences.
The numerous short falls that are causing these fire guts are not different from what many of us are aware of to be responsible for the previous occurrences.
Lack of good fire distinguishers,inadequate or lack of fire safety training for staff and lack of new electrical gadgets at ministries,government departments and agencies are but few examples of problems resulting into what we are witnessing.
It is therefore imperative for government to set up a team of fire safety experts who will expeditiously recommend to government how to solve the current phenomena once and for all.Staff of public sectors should be vigilant about electrical equipment when at work since most of the faults come from them.

NATHANIEL NII EKUE MENSAH

GHANA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM

THE BAWKU SAGA!

Shooting,wailing,killing and curfew has become the order of the day.Each day with it fresh incidents not so far from the existing.Bawku is gradually becoming the Somali of Ghana as all efforts to calm all nerves down is proving
futile.Recent developments in the Bawku municipality leave much to be desired since no lasting peace seems not to finding it way into that part of the country.I am strongly of the view that what Bawku is currently experiencing is obviously not to be taken with one hand in the pocket since the time for blame game as in who created the on going mess but with all urgency the mess should be fix.I therefore charge those in helm of affairs of this noble country of our fathers especially the security apparatus to make all maximum efforts to find lasting peace in Bawku.Instead of waiting for crisis to ensue before calling for reinforcement,i suggest the security should ensure they always have more than reinforcement before another casualty.
In fact the situation is beyond what the minds eye can conceive since taking it mild will eventually take us by surprise.
I have no doubt that politics is being played into Bawku's woes and those doing that should know that lives of innocent Ghanaians are at stake.In as much as thy may be doing that for their cheap political gains someone some where is watching,be it divine or human.
What is going on at Somalia can not be replicated in Ghana! i know posterity will not allow that to happen but let us not forget the fact that a little drop of fire results into a lake of fire.Let us all be mindful of the fact that Ghana belongs to all of us not only a privilege few who have beg for our votes in other to use it to instigate and castigate us.
That part of the country is as vital as this part of the country.I mean the north is as important as the south and for once trying hard as i am not to be pessimistic, any thing can happen to the south as far as the crisis in the north is concern.My piece will not end without trying hard to find out what the indigents are doing it is said that you can forced a horse to the river but you can force it to drink water,if it is true then unless the people of Bawku decides to give peace a chance and smoke the peace pipe we all will continue to call for peace but it won't happen. A word to the wise can never be found in the south...........

niiequaye@yahoo.co.uk
natmensah.blogspot.com

GOOD DAY MR. PRESIDENT!

Recent developments in Guinea left much to be desire,following the bloodless coup late last year.

I am much elated to have been made aware that the government of Ghana has taken a bold decision in condemning what i call the atrocities and the violation of the rule of law in that country.

In as much as i am patting the back of the government for taking such a laudable action for believing in the rule of law and the right to violent free society,i will plead that the government go beyond just issuing a statement considering the gravity of the violence and back it with an action.

Lost of lives,violation of human rights and the liberty of the citizens in that country and above all political instability gives me no doubt that Ghana stand a better chance to effectively and peacefully mediate in restoring Guinea back to democratic rule.The accolade "beacon of hope' in Africa will be a misnomer if we ignore haphazardly and concentrate on our internal democracy with little or no effort to assist other Africa countries in making a strive to stable democratic governance.

A WEEKEND AT THE TEMA FISHING HABOUR

Unarguably the Ghanaian economy for sometime has seen a tremendous growth and has also become a greener pasture for most foreign investors to invest in and one of such investors is the people’s republic of china who indisputably have invested in most areas of the Ghanaian economy and are the largest investors in the country. One of such areas is the fishing industry at the Tema fishing harbor.A source at Tema fishing harbor has confirmed to me that most of this Chinese business men are going out of business since the assumption of office by the new National Democratic Congress government .

Further investigation has revealed that the national democratic congress has categorically stated in it 2008 manifesto before the general elections to deal with the problem of pair trolling upon assuming office which most indigenous fisher men along the coast of the country find difficult to deal with.Pair trolling as pair my investigation is the illegal culture practice where by two different vessels are joined side by side in fishing,this practice among many big companies who are into fishing especially the Chinese businessmen kill the fingerlings which serve as a treat to future bumper catch for the local fishing community along the coast.I have no doubt in mind that you actually are aware of what this will result to.
Upon assuming office on January 7^Th this year the national democratic congress has decided to execute the promise made to the fishing community along the coast. Execution of this campaign promise has enormously affected companies with vessels who are into fishing,those mostly affected were the Chinese businessmen. At the time of my arrival seven (7)vessels with the following names:Emule i, Emule ii, Emule iii ,Emule iv, Emule v, Emule vi and Emule vii were locked and prevented from sailing.

Mr Martin Fifi a former worker in one of such vessels but now with another vessel told me this decision by the new government has affected the Chinese businessmen but not all are out of business since few of them have their vessels which go beyond the coast and for that matter have no scores to settle with the government. If what i gathered is anything to go by then i believe in my candid opinion it is the right step in the right dircetion towards a better Ghana.

NEVER GIVE UP!!

MANY ARE THOSE WHO HAVE RAN THE RACE OF LIFE
MANY ARE THOSE WHO HAVE STARTED THE RACE OF LIFE
MANY ARE THOSE WHO ARE ABOUT TO START THE RACE OF LIFE
MANY ARE THOSE WHO ARE YET TO MAKE UP THEIR MIND TO START THE RACE OF LIFE
NO MATTER WHERE YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF IN LIFE
NEVER GIVE UP!
YES THE RACE IS NOT FOR THE SWIFT..........
THAT GOAL NEEDS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED
ALWAYS REMEMBER,QUITTERS NEVER WIN AND WINNERS NEVER QUIT.........hope you have a fruitful week