The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has launched its 75th Anniversary in Accra on Wednesday, April 18, 2024.
The theme for the anniversary is “75 Years of Excellence in Journalism: Honouring the past, embracing the present, shaping the future”.
Present at the event was Ghanaian Businessman, Sir Sam Jonah KBE, OSG, GJA President, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Rt. Rev. Paul Fynn, Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, Mr Godwin Avenorgbo, Executive members of the GJA, media partners, veteran journalists, students, amongst others.
Speaking at the launch, the GJA President, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour underscored the need to honour the past, acknowledging all who played major roles to see the association to its current state.
“Taking counsel from the adage that ‘a nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for’, we are minded to remember and honour the pioneers of the GJA who made invaluable sacrifices to bring us thus far,” he said.
Mr Dwumfour noted that Since the establishment of the GJA on August 15, 1949, it has gone through many phases and surmounted many challenges as well.
Christened as Africa Press Association at its formation, He said the GJA has today become a major force to reckon with.
“We remember the pioneering works of T. B. Ottie, Bem Dorkenoo, Sam Morris, Martin Therson-Cofie, Henry Ofori, Carl Reindorf, Regina Addae and Eric Adjorlolo. They have all paid their dues and we need to honour them,” he said.
Embracing the present
Touching on embracing the present, Mr Dwumfour said
in contemporary times, the GJA has been spearheaded by illustrious sons and daughters like Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, Gifty Affenyi Dadzie, Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, Nana Kwaku Dei I (known privately as Ransford Tetteh) and Roland Affail Monney, his immediate predecessor.
He noted that they all contributed their quota to take the Association to a higher level, and they deserve honour.
He said the GJA continues to make positive strides in the country’s quest for national development.
However, unlike the persecution that its pioneers faced, including the pain of imprisonment and human rights violations, today, Mr Dwumfour said the media face prosecution from inimical laws that criminalises freedom of speech and expression, as well as assault, which is a deviation from the rule of law.
He noted that in recent times, journalists and media outlets have been targeted by political hoodlums while on assignment.
He said The GJA has no choice but to take aggressive actions to combat this breach of media rights.
“We were forced to blacklist two important political figures whose followers attacked journalists who were performing their routine duties. Let me point out that the ban on Farouk Mahama, the MP for Yendi is still in force,” He said.
Mr Dwumfour again said There is also a worrying trend of unprofessional practices by a section of the media due to many factors, including lack of appreciation for professional ethics and media ownership.
“We will use this anniversary celebration to address some of these critical matters. I must emphasize, however, that the GJA will not tolerate any acts of unprofessionalism as we approach the vital election time. We shall try our best to maintain better levels of professionalism to protect our democracy.”
Shaping the future
Mr Dwumfour who acknowledged the presence of students at the event
said it is the responsibility of the Association, with the support of the training institutions to prepare them for the future.
“We need to guide your ethical upbringing in the profession. We need to offer you the needed support to navigate emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is taking or has already taken, centre stage of global affairs, in journalism practice in the future. That is why we have scheduled a symposium on AI for the youth as part of the anniversary activities. We believe the future is bright for the media landscape in Ghana.,” he added.
He called on corporate partners and friends to support the GJA on its journey.
“We appeal to you to rally behind us with your financial support so that together, we can make this anniversary celebration a success,”he added.
Mr Dwumfour also reminded all about the African Media Convention (AMC) which will be held in Accra on May 15-17, 2024.
He urged members of the Ghanaian media to take advantage of this event and engage in it to reap maximum benefits.
For his part, the Keynote Speaker, Sir Sam Jonah also urged all media practitioners to uphold the values that define their profession.
He urged them not to be Afraid to say the truth in the discharge of their duties.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori