The Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) has entered into a partnership agreement with Peace Watch Ghana – a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) for the purposes of promoting peace and security in the country.
At a joint meeting in the offices of PRINPAG on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, management of the two organizations jointly agreed to work together to make peace the focus of public discussion in Ghana.
Peace Watch Ghana has been around since 2008 and is widely known for its interests in the welfare of personnel of the Ghana Police Service, as well as logistics and infrastructure for the police. They are concerned that some people in Ghana have majored in using the media to abuse senior public officials for no just cause, an issue they want addressed.
Among others, the Peace Watch Ghana has plans of lobbying for the establishment of a Special Security Tax in Ghana to raise funds to support the activities and safety of police personnel. It is for this reason that they are seeking collaboration with the Publishers and Owners of Newspapers and Online News portals.
At the meeting the idea of a Security Tax to help raise funds to support the police service and enhance security was lauded by all present. The tax when established would also be used to provide logistics support for other security services in the country and enhance the general security situation in the country.
As part of measures to boost public education on peace and security in the country, there is a proposed joint float on the streets of Accra to generate the awareness on the need to champion peace among the citizenry. The two bodies would also organize joint sensitization workshops on district basis for the public to take peace and security seriously.
There is going to be an engagement exercise with industry players to get their buy-ins on the proposed security tax to put it in proper perspective. The meeting also agreed to set up a joint funds raising committee to support the proposed projects.
President of PRINPAG, Mr Andrew Edwin Arthur remarked that “the collaboration is very necessary to secure the peace of this nation and we cannot take it for granted. We are happy to work closely together with Peace Watch Ghana. We shall use our various Newspapers and Online News Portals to ensure that our peace is protected.”
On her part, the Executive Director of Peace Watch Ghana, Madam Diana Yonkopa Daniels, noted that “the principal position of PRINPAG as an Association of Newspaper owners and Online News Publishers has made it a key partner in national development, and the ideal partner that our organization has been looking for. We are extremely happy about this partnership.”
She was hopeful that the collaboration will yield the expected results in the interest of Ghana.
Peace Watch Ghana has been supporting the Ghana police service in diverse ways including the refurbishment of some offices of the service, organizing Awards to honor senior police officers, and an Informant Awards scheme, as well as seeking justice for people who have been wrongly accused.
PRINPAG is an Association of Publishers, Media Owners and Senior Editors interested in the general promotion of the welfare of its members.
Also present at the meeting were the Vice of PRINPAG – Michael Antwi-Agyei, National Organizer – Emmanuel Opare Gyan, Public Affairs and External Relations Officer – Jeorge Wilson Kingson, Treasurer -Madam Fodia Amenyah, and Executive Secretary – Kenteman Nii Laryea Sowah. It also include Patrick Biddah, William Sarpong and Sandra Ewusie Dadzie.
