Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, has urged the media to play their gate-keeping role effectively to for foster Ghana’s democracy and governance system.

He said the trust reposed in the media by the populace makes it indispensable for Journalists to uphold the tenets of professionalism.

Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, who is also the President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs, said media practitioners have played a vital role in Ghana’s development and urged them to always separate opinions from facts.

The Okyenhene made the remarks when the Eastern Region branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) paid a courtesy call on him at the Ofori Panyin Fie at Kyebi.

He expressed worry about how some radio presenters sometimes present their opinions on issues but clothe these opinions as facts.

He is worried that Ghanaians will be misinformed when opinions are presented as facts.

He affirmed the commitment of chiefs in the Eastern Region to support media development in the region and other parts of the country.

The Eastern Regional Chairman of the Association, Mr Maxwell Kudekor, said the GJA was working to redirect its members to focus on developmental journalism instead of on sensational political issues as is currently the case.

According to him, the Eastern GJA has instituted measures to encourage its members on the need to use their platforms to project the region positively and also to hold leaders accountable.

Maxwell Kudekor said one of the strategies to whip up the interest of Journalists to report on development issues was the introduction of regional awards scheme to recognise and reward reports that impact communities positively.

The awards scheme will also reward journalists who have distinguished themselves over the period.

He said the awards would aim among other things at stirring competition among journalists in the region to boost their interest in development journalism.

The Regional GJA Chairman took the opportunity to invite Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin to grace the maiden Regional GJA Awards slated for Friday June 15, 2018 in Koforidua under the theme, "Repositioning the Eastern Region for Investment and Job Creation: Role of the Media."