On behalf of all well-­‐meaning
Ghanaians,
who
support
the
vision
to
make
Ghana
work
again,
OccupyGhana®
would
like
to
commend
the
journalists
and
media
houses
who
continue
to
cover
our
programs
and
bring
the
activities
to
the
general
public
in
their
homes,
workplaces
and
on
every
street
corner.
OccupyGhana®
recognizes
the
crucial
role
that
journalists
play
in
propagating
our
message,
and
galvanizing
ordinary
citizens
to
positively
engage
with
government,
to
ensure
good
governance
is
entrenched
and
routinized
in
all
spheres
of
national
life.
OccupyGhana®
considers
the
media
as
key
partners/stakeholders
in
the
crusade
to
get
Ghana
working
again
for
the
benefit
of
all
Ghanaians.
That
said,
the
media
is
also
expected
to
act
in
line
with
the
standard
ethical
practices
that
underpin
their
profession.
As
a
movement
committed
to
promoting
good
governance
and
highlighting
all
corrupt
practices
that
contribute
to
economic
stagnation,
and
lack
of
development
of
our
country,
OccupyGhana®
has
taken
the
bold
decision
to
discontinue
the
widely
tolerated
practice
of
handing
out
cash
to
journalists
who
show
up
to
cover
events
and
report.
Fully
cognizant
that
the
practice
of
paying
‘soli’
provides
a
fertile
ground
for
corruption
to
thrive,
this
decision
was
taken
to
demonstrate
OccupyGhana®’s
anti-­‐corruption
stance
and
also
to
establish,
for
the
record,
that
the
movement
is
not
about
talk
alone
but
also
about
deeds.
The
practice
of
handing
out
cash
that
is
carried
out
when
journalists
cover
events
flies
in
the
face
of
ethical
journalistic
practice,
as
it
can
be
construed
to
suggest
an
inducement
for
the
favorable
reporting
of
an
event.
It
also
potentially
raises
questions
about
the
accuracy,
fairness
and
balance
of
the
stories
that
are
eventually
written.
Although
we
believe
such
action
has
the
potential
to
“hurt”
coverage
of
OccupyGhana®
events,
we
believe
it’s
the
right
decision.
OccupyGhana®
stands
in
solidarity
with
the
many
journalists
who
do
not
insist
on
nor
request
cash
handouts
before
they
do
their
jobs.
In
fact
we
take
this
opportunity
to
acknowledge
their
principled
stance
and
hope
that
their
compatriots
will
come
to
accept
the
wisdom
of
their
position.
Once
again,
we
salute
these
patriotic
journalists
who
have
decided
to
put
Ghana
first
on
this
journey
to
get
Ghana
work
again
by
covering
and
reporting
OccupyGhana®
activities.
We
cannot
achieve
this
collective
goal
without
you.
This
is
a
national
crusade
and
every
well-­‐meaning
Ghanaian
is
encouraged
to
OccupyGhana®
for
God
and
Country.
Let
us
be
the
generation
to
plant
trees
today
so
the
next
generation
can
enjoy
the
shade.
Because
of
you,
Ghana
will
work
again.
We
#OccupyGhana®
for
God
and
Country
just
because
we
know
our
Ghana
will
work
again!
Your’s
in
the
service
of
God
and
Country.
George
Andah
For
OccupyGhana®
For
further
information
please
contact
Nana
Akwasi
Awuah,
OccupyGhana®
Media
Relations
by
replying
to
this
email
or
on
+233
575
415
816
or
reply
to
this
email.