A six-member executive of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has been sworn into office, with a primary objective of prioritising the welfare and interest of journalists and other media practitioners.
The Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, administered the oath of office to the executive who will steer the affairs of the association for the next three years.
Led by Albert Kwabena Dwumfour as President, it also has Rebecca Ekpe as Vice-President, Dominic Hlordzi as the General Secretary; Suleiman Mustapha as the Organising Secretary, Bertha Badu-Agyei as the Treasurer, and Zadok Kwame Gyesi as the Public Affairs Officer.
Last Friday’s event was attended by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, representatives from the Judicial Service, members of the diplomatic community, members of the clergy, corporate concerns and development partners.
Past presidents of the association also attended the event. They included Kabral Blay-Amihere, Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, Ransford Tetteh.
The ceremony was on the theme “Renewed commitment, consolidating the legacy to do more”.
Yesterday, the GJA executive attended a thanksgiving service at the Church of Pentecost, Alajo Central Assembly.
Media role
The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, congratulated the executive and urged them to take their responsibilities seriously.
She urged journalists to adhere to high standards of professionalism, ensuring that the public received accurate and reliable information.
“We expect that your voices would toll the middle line and ensure that we get the information that we need to be able to formulate policies and be able to implement them adequately,” she added.
She encouraged the association to strive for excellence, leaving a lasting and positive legacy in the journalism fraternity.
Consolidate gains
Mr Dwumfour said they would, among others, consolidate the gains and progress made to rebrand and reactivate the GJA as well as set up a body to manage the Journalists Support Fund which was launched by the previous administration to support the healthcare and critical needs of members.
The Fund also offered legal and financial support to members who came under attack in the line of duty as well as catered for the needs of retired members.
“Under the current administration we shall make the fund more active by appealing for support from corporate Ghana and other institutions,” he said.
Attacks on Journalists
The GJA President condemned attacks on journalists and appealed for support for Pius Asiedu Kwanin who was shot in the leg while covering the collation of election ballots at the Ablekuma Central Constituency in Accra in 2020.
He indicated that Pius was one of the many cases of attack and brutality against media practitioners that had not been addressed by the state, particularly the police, in terms of prosecution.
He said the GJA would compile a list of victims and present them to the government for compensation.
Five pillars
Mr Dwumfour outlined five key pillars of his second term to include finalising better working conditions for journalists, comprehensive insurance and enhanced welfare support, boosting professional development through scholarship, strengthening regional journalism through reorganisation and unwavering commitment to press freedom and the safety of journalists.
He thanked individuals who contributed to the immense success of his first tenure, particularly the outgoing executive.
Government’s support
The Minister of State, Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, congratulated the new executive and urged them to work with the government to push the developmental agenda of the country.
“We do not, as a government, expect praise. We look forward to stringent and strident scrutiny of our actions.
We look forward to informed contributions to the national discourse from journalists and media practitioners,” he said.
He condemned acts that tended to endanger journalists, pointing out a recent assault on a GHONE reporter by a police officer, while covering the Ablekuma North Constituency partial rerun election.
He urged the police to take immediate action to discipline the officer to ensure that it did not recur.
“We do not in any way, shape or form condone the mistreatment of journalists, and all other previous incidences will be looked into with a view to seeking redress for the victims,” he said.
