Accra, (Greater Accra) 15 July ’99,
Parliament on Wednesday continued the debate on the private member’s motion on the floor of the house asking the National Media Commission (NMC) to take measures to ensure enforcement of the Supreme Court’s judgment of November 30, 1993.
Nana Akufo Addo, Minority Spokesman on Constitutional and Legal Matters and Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa, moved the motion about a month ago.
In an amendment motion, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, Majority Chief Whip and MP for Avenor, is rather requesting that the NMC “investigate” the allegation.
On the date in question, the court unanimously held in the case between the New Patriotic Party and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation that the State-Owned Media (SOM) should grant “equal time, space and access to the activities of all registered Political Parties.”
Since the debate resumed, members on the Minority side have argued in favour of the substantive and original motion, while their counterparts on the Majority side support the amended motion.
Alhaji Malik Al-Hassan Yakubu, NPP-Yendi, described the original motion as “unambiguous and clear”, and, therefore, did not understand why the amended motion should ask the House to order an independent organisation like the NMC to “investigate” the court’s order.
Mr Yaw Barimah, NPP-Koforidua, said the Constitution, the supreme law of the land, should be respected by the SOM, and Ghanaians do not need any investigation into the court’s ruling.
Mr Barimah stated that the media has a crucial role to keep the people of this nation abreast with time, so that when it comes to taking decisions that affect their lives, they can make healthy and meaningful contributions.
Mr Kofi Attor, NDC-Ho Central, and Mr Sylvester Mensah, NDC-Dade Kotopon, arguing in favour of the amended motion, said the NMC’s investigative role as requested by the amendment is a step in the right direction.
They therefore urged the House to reject the substantive motion and empower the NMC to go into the matter.
