Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has appealed to the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to
support government’s efforts to promote Press Freedom.
The Minister was speaking at a meeting with the newly appointed head of UNESCO
office in Ghana, Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo in Accra said the Akufo-Addo
administration is keen on promoting a robust culture of Press Freedom.
Mr. Diallo’s visit to the Information Minister and his deputies was to formally
introduce himself after he took Office in November this year.
Mr. Nkrumah praised the contributions of UNESCO in promoting an independent and
pluralistic press while thanking the organisation for sponsoring the 2018 World
Press Freedom celebrations which was hosted in Ghana in May.
He said government was committed to passing the Right to
Information Bill which for now only requires a procedure act.
“Parliament has gone past clause 50 of the RTI bill and is almost near the
conclusion of consideration. However the budget season has delayed the passage
of the RTI. Some say the right already exist but only requires a passing
procedure act. We are very committed to passing it when Parliament resume next
year” he told the UNESCO boss.
Abdourahamane Diallo in a response praised the excellent relations that exit
between Ghana and UNESCO and assured its reinforcement. He congratulated the
Information Minister for his leadership role and pledged to work together with
the Ministry of Information.
Until his appointment Mr. Diallo also worked as head of the UNESCO office in
Kinshasa and UNESCO representative to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
