By Francis Ameyibor, GNA
Tema, May 3, GNA - Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL) on Wednesday joined the international community to commend the media for their role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
Mr Patrick Kwame Akpe Akorli, Group Chief Executive Officer of GOIL explained that the Ghanaian media deserved commendation as they moved through hazardous environment as well as engaging sometimes hostile personalities in their quest to inform the public.
“GOIL on this day say ayekoo to Ghanaian media for contributing to the development of industries, fight against societal ills, promoting just and lawful cause and helping to deepen our democracy
“GOIL shares in the celebration of the fundamental principles of press freedom,” Mr Akorli told the Ghana News Agency at Tema on the sidelines of donation of 1000 hospital beds to the Ministry of Health for onward distribution to the regions.
The GOIL Managing Director urged the corporate world to recognise local and international bodies to evaluate press freedom around the world, join in the defence of the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
The 2017 World Press Freedom Day is on the general theme: “Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media’s role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies”.
The international day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the 26th Session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991.
This in turn was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence.
Mr Akorli noted that it is vital to strengthen free and quality journalism to enable the media to effectively contribute to the achievement development of the nation.
He also commended the media for their recent campaign against illegal small scale mining and urged the media to also play an active role in the Association of Oil Marketing Companies combat against Petroleum Black Market dealers.
Mr Akorli who is also known as Togbe Adza-Nye IV Dutorfia of Ziavi in the Volta Region noted that as the foremost indigenous Ghanaian OMC, GOIL was proud of its achievements over the years and attributed part of the success to the support from the Ghanaian media.
“We are now the country's leading Oil Marketing Company. We have been recognised by the Ghana Investment Promotions Centre, GIPC, the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana, CIMG, Association of Ghana Industries, AGI, Ghana Entrepreneurs Association, and many other prestigious bodies and national organisations.
“We have achieved these without sacrificing health and safety standards as well as the quality of our products...we acknowledge the role of the media which helped us to keep our eyes on the main goal.
“GOIL means business and we have taken a significant step in attaining ISO certification and ratification. The future looks bright as we take giant steps in expanding aviation fuel facilities, investing in Bunkering storage, and the building of Liquefied Natural Gas and Bitumen plants.
“We believe that with the continued support of Ghanaians and the media through the positive projections and the use of GOIL products, GOIL will continue to grow to become a successful Multinational Oil Company,” he said.
GNA
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