Journalists Barred From Covering Group Sessions At Nat�l Economic Forum

Journalists covering the ongoing National Economic Forum in Senchi have been barred from covering the group sessions, TV3�s Nana Akua Asare has disclosed. The Forum opened on Tuesday and over the 140 participants have grouped into six to continue deliberations on the way forward as regards the country�s economy. Among the groups the participants - who span political parties, academia, civil service and the private sector - have been put are Restoring Microeconomic Stability, Strengthening the Role of the Private Sector, Key Issues in Ghana�s Economic Management, Financial Market and Long Term Economy and Unlocking the Potential for Long Term Economic Development. The sixth group is Developing an Effective Communications Strategy. But reporting on Midday Live, our correspondent said discussions of the groups are being held outside the purview of the media. This comes contrary to suggestion by Chairman of the Forum, Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, that discussions will be open. �To allow for honest, frank and undiluted discussion, we have agreed with the chairpersons, facilitators�that they will encourage openness and free expression of views in the groups,� said Vice President Amissah-Arthur in his welcome address on Tuesday. A communiqu� is, meanwhile, expected to be issued after the Forum, which ends on Friday, May 16.