The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), in collaboration with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has organised a seminar for journalists in Ghana dubbed, “Digital Organising, Trade Union Reforms, and Youth Recruitment.”
The objective of the two-day seminar was to train young journalists, especially those working online, all under 35 years, to design campaign strategies to recruit their peers working online into the GJA.
Those who participated in the seminar are expected to serve as Ambassadors of the GJA and help promote the work of the Association among their peers.
Journalists drawn from various media houses in Ghana participated in the seminar.
The Seminar treated topics including,” Why do we need to organise the digital Media as a Journalists Trade Union? Guarding against the exploitation of young journalists online and defending their welfare.”, Which was Facilitated by the Director of IFJ Africa Secretariat, Dakar, Mr. Palouis Thomasi.
Others were, “Freelance Journalists and the Decent Work Agenda: Engaging and recruiting Young freelance journalists and fighting for decent wages.”
Speaking at the opening of the event, the GJA President, Mr. Albert Dwumfour said the current GJA was taking steps to unionize all media organizations.
“The Unionization of the Association is critical because it provides our members with job security and bargaining power. Indeed We have already begun taking steps in this direction. I should mention that some media organizations, such as the GNA, Graphic Corporation, and New Times Corporation, already have unions,” he said.
Mr. Dwumfour said the GJA was also pursuing a vigorous agenda that entices the youth to participate in its activities, including its primary watchdog role in society.
“It will interest you to note that the current crop of GJA leaders is made up of energetic youth, an indication that we are poised to pursue a youth-driven agenda by empowering the youth with support from the IFJ. Talking about the youth, as an association, we have decided to undertake a comprehensive social media drive to target the youth,” he said.
He continued, “Research indicates that persons who are very active on social media are between the ages of 13- 35 and so we target this age group on our social media with all our progressive activities.”
Ghana l Atinkaonline.com l Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
