The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has inaugurated a committee for the planning of its 75th Anniversary.
The GJA 75th Anniversary Planning Committee is chaired by Godwin Avenorgbo, a former Director of Radio at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
Other members of the committee are Marian Kyei, media consultant and private legal practitioner; Kobby Asmah, member of the National Media Commission and former Editor of Graphic; Peter Agbeko, former Head of Public Affairs, Ghana Standards Authority; Ellen Avorgbedor, former Central Regional Director of the GBC, and Maxwell Kudekor, Eastern Regional Chairman of the GJA.
The rest of the members are Boahene Asamoah, Editor of Graphic Business; Zambaga Rufai, former Western Regional Secretary of the GJA; Alice Tettey, Central Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency and former Central Regional Chairperson of the GJA; Dr Etse Sikanku, lecturer at the University of Media, Arts and Communication, and Mathias Tibu, former Vice President of the GJA.
The 11-member committee is expected to plan activities for the 75th anniversary across the country, beginning from March to the climax in September at this year’s GJA Media Awards.
These activities will include a major event on August 15, which will mark the 75th birthday of the GJA.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Committee, President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour said although the 70th Anniversary Celebration was a mega one, GJA will make the 75th Anniversary, a momentous and more memorable one.
“We all as an Association have every reason to be happy for this day but it must be emphasized that the journey has not been a smooth one. It has been fraught with intense oppression against the media from past dictatorial and oppressive governments leading to the prosecution and detention of journalists who dared to give a voice to the voiceless,” he said.
He said the year 2001, was a turning point that would remain indelible in the minds and hearts of Ghanaians, as the then President, John Agyekum Kufuor, repealed the criminal libel law, which sought to suppress the development of media freedom and gag Journalists and media practice in Ghana.
Mr Dwumfour commended J. A Kufour for repealing the criminal libel law, saying but for the repeal of the criminal libel law, a lot of Journalists would have been in jail by now.
He noted that in 2024 alone, about 3 Journalists were attacked in the line of duty occasioning the GJA’s media blackout on Hawa Koomson and Farouk Aliu Mahama, adding that Hawa Koomson’s ban has been lifted but Farouk’s is still in force.
“As we inaugurate the Planning Committee, we call on the government to intensify its collaboration with the GJA in ensuring the safety and security of journalists in Ghana,” Mr Dwumfour stated.
He again said the GJA’s 75th anniversary should be an occasion for journalists to see ourselves as one people and marshal efforts to consolidate the gains made devoid of lies but upholding truth and diligence.Media freedom does not mean we can operate outside the rule of law,” he added.
Madam Charlotte Morgan Asiedu, Chief Director at the Ministry of Information, also pledged the Ministry’s support towards the 75th anniversary.
The Director General of GBC, Prof. Amin Alhassan who stood in to Inaugurate the planning Committee of the 75th Anniversary of the GJA.
He called on corporate Ghana, those in government, organisations and others to support the 75th Anniversary of the GJA with resources to a successful end.
The Chairman of the planning Committee, Godwin Avenorgbo thanked the GJA for enthrusting confidence in him to Chair the Committee, assuring that the committee will bring in professionalism and also urged all to bring in their ideas to make the planning of the celebration a success.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
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