Scores of journalists, media practitioners, media owners, and well-wishers stormed the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel on Thursday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
On August 15, 1949, the GJA was born as the biggest umbrella body to champion media freedom, welfare of media practitioners, and, more significantly, the development agenda of the country. Initially christened “Africa Press Association” (APA), the association has since transitioned through different identities, such as the “Ghana Press Club” and “Association of Journalists and Writers,” to its present name, the GJA.
The theme for the anniversary is, “Excellence in Journalism: Honouring the Past, embracing the Present and Shaping the Future”
The GJA President Albert Dwumfour used the opportunity to pay tribute to trailblazers who made the Association formidable.
“In honouring the past on this auspicious occasion, we celebrate our forbearers for their sacrifices to lay a solid foundation upon which we stand today. We honour the memory of Martin Therson-Cofie, Sam Arthur, Fraser Ofori-Atta, G. A Dentu, Kwame Gyewu-Kyem, T. B. Ottie, Cecil Forde and Henry Ofori who played leadership roles in the formative and most challenging years of the Association,: Mr. Dwumfour said.
“In recent memory, we also celebrate the likes of Edwin Tengey, Edward Ameyibor, Kabral Blay-Amihere, Gifty Affenyi Dadzie, Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, Nana Kwaku Dei (aka Ransford Tetteh), Affail Monney, Bright Blewu and Godwin Avenorgbo for their leadership roles to bring us this far.
“Madam Chairperson, it is pertinent to step beyond executive proximity to embrace some other individuals whose contributions to the development and growth of the GJA have been rather enormous. In that regard, we celebrate the likes of former president John Agyekum Kufuor, Sir Sam Jonah, Kwasi Afriyie-Badu, Peter Agbeko, Marian Kyei, the late Dr Doris Dartey, Kwako Baako Jnr, Kwesi Pratt Jnr and Charles Wereko Brobbey. These names are by no means exhaustive of the list of trailblazers we desire to honour today. In honour of all these pioneers and many other comrades who have departed to the other world,” he said.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com
