The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has called for greater inclusivity, diversity and equity within the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), while condemning the increasing attacks and killings of journalists across Africa.
Addressing delegates at the IFJ’s Centenary World Congress held in Paris on May 6 and 7, Mr. Dwumfour said journalists on the African continent continue to face dangerous conditions in the line of duty.
He cited countries such as Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Sudan and Nigeria, where media practitioners have reportedly been killed, harassed and chased for carrying out their work.
“We need to include inclusivity, diversity and equity in the agenda,” he stated, stressing that African journalists deserve protection and equal representation within the global media union.
Mr. Dwumfour questioned the relevance of a global union that does not adequately benefit the African continent.
“What is a global union if it is not benefiting the continent?” he asked.
According to him, African journalists are now more united than before and are determined to push for a common agenda at the congress.
“We in Africa today want to make it very strongly that we are united as ever. Maybe previously we were divided, but this time around we have a common agenda, we share common convictions and we have a united front,” he said.
The GJA President further called on the IFJ to ensure that Africa is properly represented on its governing council in line with the federation’s constitution.
“We want to ensure that the constitution of IFJ is fulfilled, that there will be a representative of Africa in the council and that must happen at this congress,” he stressed.
He warned that failure to guarantee African representation would undermine the continent’s place within the global journalists’ body.
“If that is not done, Africa will not be talked about and seen as part of the Global Union,” he added.
Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu