President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Roland Affail Monney has been awarded for his immense contribution towards the sustenance of peace in the country.
He was awarded together with seven others at the 8th dialogue and peace Iftar diner by the Ghana Turkey Cooperation and Development Association (TUDEC).
The event which was held at the Galaxy International School in Accra was aimed at promoting the culture of co-existence, mutual understanding and improve dialogue between various faiths, culture and races.
Other awardees included George Amoh of the National Peace Council, Dr. Rabiatu Deinyo Ammah, [A lecturer and the first ever woman recipient] and Lt. Col. Umar Sanda Ahmed [Ghana’s former Ambassador to Egypt].
The rest were Rev. Dr. Cyril K. Foyose [Former President of the Trinity Theological Seminary], Rtd. Rear Admiral Mohammed Munir Tahiru, Prof. Osman B and Ransford Tetteh [Editor of Daily Graphic ].
Manager Director of TUDEC, Yussuf Temizkhan expressed his commitment to continuously intensify efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination against individuals.
“I like to every year, promote cultural co-existence, mutual understanding and establish a common inter-faith platform aimed at information and opinion changes. It is important for all of us to come together and enjoy the tradition of mutual respect and tolerance. Ramadan reminds us of the utmost responsibility to treat other people how we wish to be treated; and the basic principle that binds people of different faiths together is a yearning for peace, justice and equality.”
Co-founder of TUDEC, Dr. Nabil Nuamah was however worried that despite moves to promote harmony among citizens, others are hampering the agenda with bias and prejudicial comments and actions; a situation he fears will get out of hand if care is not taken.
“…..some are gradually sowing seeds of segregation in our society. What will happen is that, the next generation will take it to the next level. If we don’t take time to really reflect on this, I am very sorry that bad things are going to happen in the future. As we speak, our Turkish friends who are also members of TUDEC are currently being politically pursued and persecuted in their native country.What is their crime? But we want to divide ourselves based on peace which is the core mandate of TUDEC. We are propagating peace, tolerance and co-existence in our diverse ways. “
Conflict-free reportage
Affail Monney dedicated his award to the Ghanaian media fraternity and charged them to avoid reportages that have the tendency of throwing Ghana into a state of turmoil.
He urged journalists to rather discharge their duties diligently with the mindset of consolidating the already existing peace and unity the country is enjoying.
” I dedicate this award to the media community in Ghana with the hope that they will at all times, tilt their stories towards conflict prevention and peace preservation”, he noted.
The awards night is held each year during the month of Ramadan to bring members of all religious groups to a round table to discuss matters of peace in the world while observing the Muslim fast-breaking.
It brought together Muslims scholars and clerics, members of the Christian community and personalities in academia.