From Issah Alhassan, Kumasi
THE PRESIDENT of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Dr. Affail Monney has expressed its gratitude to the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Eric Opoku for his personal support and commitment to the growth and development of the association.
The President says the GJA appreciates the support the Regional Minister has been giving to the Association, especially its Ashanti Regional branch and believes the cordial co-operation would inure to the development of the region.
Dr. Affail Monney gave the remark when he paid a short visit to the Regional Minister to officially express gratitude to him for the construction of the ultra-modern Regional Press Centre.
Hon. Eric Opoku is spearheading the construction of a state-of-the-art Press Resource Centre for the Ashanti GJA following a request made by the Regional Chairman of the Association, Listowell Yesu Bukarson, at the beginning of the year.
The project, valued at GH¢583,229.08 is at the advanced stage and is expected to be completed by the end of February next year.
Dr. Monney, who was conducted round the building earlier the day, said he was amazed upon sighting the project, more particularly at the speedy progress of work at the site.
Describing the Ashanti Regional Minister as one of the best the region has ever had in recent times, the GJA President expressed the hope that other regional ministers would emulate the shining example of Hon. Eric Opoku in terms of enhancing the resource capacity of the media.
Hon. Eric Opoku, on his part, said he had enjoyed smooth collaboration of the media since assuming office as the minister, notwithstanding the initial perception that media practitioners in the Ashanti Region were antagonistic to the government of the NDC.
He said though he could not say that he has enjoyed hundred support from the media, he believes the criticisms so far had been fair and constructive, adding that he is hoping journalists in the region would continue to support efforts to enhance the development of the region.
Pix: GJA executives in a pose with Regional Minister Eric Opoku