Use media freedom to fight hunger, poverty, disease- Stratcomm CEO

By Ebenezer Hanson
The CEO of Stratcomm Africa, Ms. Esther Cobbah, has advised Ghanaian journalists to use the media freedom they enjoy to rid the country of poverty, hunger and disease. Media freedom, she believes, would not have far reaching impact if it does liberate the ordinary Ghanaian from the ills of the society.
“Freedom of the media would be meaningless unless it is linked with the total liberation of ordinary Ghanaian from poverty, hunger, disease and poverty,” she told journalists at Stratcomm’s 15th Anniversary Media Launch in Accra last Wednesday.
Relying on the Lord Jesus Christ’s admonition that unto whom much is given much would be required, Ms. Cobbah demanded of the media to go beyond the ordinary and pursue causes that would bring true freedom to Ghanaians.
The Ghanaian media has been ranked as one of the most vibrant and freest in Africa. Chapter 12 of the 1992 Fourth Republican Constitution of Ghana guarantees the freedom and independence of the media. Article 162 provides, among other things, that “Freedom and independence of the media are hereby guaranteed; subject to this Constitution and any other law not inconsistent with this Constitution; there shall be no censorship in Ghana .
“There shall be no impediments to the establishment of private press or media; and in particular, there shall be no law requiring any person to obtain a licence as a prerequisite to the establishment or operation of a newspaper, journal or other media for mass communication or information.
“And Editors and publishers of newspapers and other institutions of the mass media shall not be subject to control or interference by Government, not shall they be penalized or harassed for their editorial opinions and views, or the content of their publications.”
According to Ms. Cobbah, the media is an important link in the communication chain and therefore its importance could never be overemphasized. She urged organizations to depart from the fire-fighting approach of resorting to communication institutions to resolve crisis to mainstreaming communication into their core activities.
“Throughout the 15 years of our we have observed that communication is often sidelined by many organizations; it is only run to when there is crisis which could have been avoided if it had been integrated into the organization’s activities right from the word ago. Malaria could be reduced if basic information about it is provided and sustained”.
Commenting on the theme of the celebration, “Stratcomm Africa, Raising the Bar in the Communication Industry in Ghana and Africa”, the CEO attributed the strength and resilience Stratcomm has exhibited since its inception to the abundant grace of the Almighty God, adding, they would continue to “progress on eagle wings, striving to achieve excellence and thus raise the bar in the communication industry”.
Responding to questions, Ms. Cobbah revealed that Stratcomm is gradually spreading its tentacles on the continent and could boast of offices in Gambia, Liberia, Kenya and the United States; similarly it consults for companies outside Africa. She said some of the achievements of the company include offering employment to over 35 persons, forestalling clashes in mining areas, facilitating the work of development agencies, promoting understanding between organizations and the media, offering communication and reputation management services to clients and educating communities on a wide range of issues, among other things.
Mr. Ebenezer Tetteh, Operations Manager of Stratcomm, disclosed that that the company was established in 1994 as the Centre for Develeopment and Intercultural Communication (CEDIC) out of a firm conviction of that communication could be an effective tool for achieving national development as well as international understanding. He said with only one employee in 1994, the company soon grew to have more than 35 employees in 2004.
He outlined some of the activities to mark the year long programme and these include a family day out, launch of code of conduct, signing on to the Ghana Business Code and 15th Anniversary Celebration at La Palm. The rest are Thanksgiving Service, reading lessons with school children, media fora, launch of Business in Social Action (BISA), Ghana and SA (StratcommAfrica)@15Praise Jam.
Stratcomm, he said, provides “an intellectual and highly professional environment” which offers “enormous opportunities for individual learning and professional development”. He adds, “Stratcomm Africa provides a stimulating environment for professional exposure in a variety of sectors as result of the different organizations we work with. With a desire to work for the glory of God, staff of Sratcomm Africa has a unique opportunity to practise Christian stewardship as they undertake their professional activities.”
Stratcomm engages in communication strategy development and implementation, development and intercultural communication, behavioural and social change communication, training, facilitation and event organization, public relation, advertising and marketing.