The deputy minister-designate for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, says the context in which the phrase ‘Culture of silence’ is used, is no longer prevalent in this era.
Speaking during her vetting as she faced the Appointments Committee, she explained that before the 1992 constitution came into force, there was media monopoly which is not so anymore and as such one cannot say the media is being silenced.
She said the 1992 constitution helped end the monopolistic nature of journalism and then described the pluralism in the current media space as overwhelming. Additionally, she averred the repealing of the libel law does not make the stance that there is a creeping culture of silence hold.
Also speaking on the initiatives being undertaken by the Information Ministry,;she rallied her support behind it and said she is hopeful it will be effective.
“And also the minister is on a transformational agenda and given the opportunity,;I will give in my energy and commitment to support the minister to deliver in those areas.
“Honorable Kojo Oppong Nkrumah launched the amplified program and;I believe that it will provide the platform to sell their business ideas and also to advocate for their courses. So, I support the minister fully in that area.”
Fatimatu Abubakar
Getting a broadcasting bill, necessary
Fatimatu Abubakar further noted it was necessary that the nation gets a broadcasting bill which hopefully with the assistance of the Information Minister will be passed as a law. She then said the broadcasting bill will be the “one stop shop” to help with broadcasting regulation in the country.
“It is important we know for instance, when it comes to the regulatory work of NCA and NMC,;there are some kind of law that we would wish to have. A law that will consolidate those grey areas and also ensure that if there are some conflicting areas within those two regulatory authorities, they are all sorted out.”
Fatimatu Abubakar
Touching on how to use digital marketing to put the products of the local women on the global market,;she stated that she will contribute by educating the people and giving them the kind of enlightenment required for them to recognize the market that exist beyond their comfort zone.
“I will also help them through programs that are existing;to make sure they are able to do the necessary packaging and branding;so that they will meet the world standards in this AFCTA era to access markets beyond out shores.”
Fatimatu Abubakar
Education, to help drive away poverty
Suggesting ways of getting women in Zongo communities out of poverty, she urged for education to be used. This, she believes, will enlighten these women in the Zongo communities.
“The breakthrough for these women will only be education. I believe that education is the way to get them some enlightenment;and I am a strong advocate for women empowerment. I also believe that if they are employed in the public or private formal and informal sector,;they will be able to use their knowledge and skills they have acquired.”
Fatimatu Abubakar
Moreover, she made known that, for the category of women who have lost the opportunity to get education, some government interventions will enable them access some funds to start some businesses.
“Such interventions such as MASLOC which ensures facilities are given to start something as well as the NBSSI” can be considered.
Fatimatu Abubakar
