NANA ADDO Dankwa Akufo-Addo, runner-up in the 2008 Presidential polls, has expressed gross concern over violent acts in the country’s political arena. He thus entreated journalists to team up with civil society and sincere politicians to help get rid off all forms of violence and every other distasteful act that tend to mar the political system.

“Let the Thunder support civil society and sincere politicians to take violence out of our politics. Let us all together say: enough is enough to the culture of political vindictiveness and violence”.

The former Foreign Affairs Minister in the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration gave the statement in a speech read on his behalf by Gabby Otchere-Darko, Executive Director of the Danquah Institute.

The occasion was the official launching of the Thunder Newspaper at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi on Thursday night which was graced by politicians, chiefs, business executives and seasoned journalists in Kumasi.

Owned by a 25-year-old young entrepreneur, Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori-Atta, the 16-page national paper whose headquarters is in Kumasi would publish political, business, sports and every other news item to help develop the country.

Continuing, Nana Akufo-Addo urged the Thunder Newspaper staff, and for that matter journalists in general, to use their medium to search for answers to the country’s predicaments.

“Let the paper highlight issues that will help develop Ghana and her people. Let us focus on things that will renew and strengthen our belief in Ghana, our hope in her future and our resolve in unlashing the potential of a people resourceful, talented and hardworking”.

The former Attorney General and Minister of Justice also implored the paper to shun using their powerful medium to destroy people’s hard-earned reputation with baseless and damaging stories, reiterating the need for the paper to always be objective in its reportage.

Nana Akufo-Addo said the about 23 million Ghanaian population are keen to witness a better Ghana, faster growth, job security, and an income that is stronger than inflation, noting that the paper’s birth is timely.

In his remarks, chairman for the event and a founding member of the NPP, Nana Akenten Appiah Menkah, bemoaned the ascendancy of corruption among public officials, ethnicity and tribalism.

He observed that the aforementioned canker frightened him because a he put it “these acts could destroy Ghana’s future if measures are not implemented in earnest to address them”.

Nana Appiah Menkah expressed delight that a youthful entrepreneur was the brain behind the Thunder Newspaper, remarking that it was a sign that Ghana boasts of ambitious youth to lead it to affluence in future.

The colourful occasion was characterized by the playing of scintillating music by the live band present. Those in love with tradition were also treated with ‘Kete’ tunes.

On his part, Mr. Richard Adjei Mensah Ofori-Atta, Managing Editor, Thunder Newspaper, sternly warned corrupt public officials to shun their evil deeds, emphatically stating, “Thunder will come after you”.

He promised that the paper would be objective, stand for the truth and play pivotal roles to enhance Ghana’s developmental aspirations, calling on all to support the paper.

Ofori-Atta disclosed that he would soon launch an education fund christened “Boa baako na boa man” to wit ‘help one and help the entire nation’ to support needy but brilliant students to realize their academic goals.
Areas such as politics, environment, education, health, entertainment and developmental issues, he noted, would be given prominence in the Thunder Newspaper.

The Thunder Newspaper was officially unveiled by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s representative for the occasion, the Bantamahene, Bafuor Owusu Amankwatia, with assistance from, Appiah Menkah and Nana Kwaku Duah Mpianin, Kokosohene.

J.B Danquah, CEO of Joevide Construction Company Limited, purchased the first copy for GH¢2,000, the second and third copies were bought at GH¢1000 and GH¢500 by Mrs. Jackie Akuffo and Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, aka Napo, MP for Manhyia respectively.

From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi

Source: Daily Guide