The Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has urged all journalists to come together to speak about issues concerning the welfare of journalists.
He said this at the 2nd annual dinner night by the Ghana Journalists Association.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) held its second Annual Dinner Night on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra.
The occasion was graced by Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, EOCO Boss, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassadors, Brands, Chiefs, Executive Members of the GJA, media practitioners, veteran journalists amongst, media partners others.
Daughters of Glorious Jesus, Amandzeba Nat Brew, Kwan Pa Band and the melodious Play Boy Band thrilled the audience with amazing performances.
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Speaking at the event, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the issue of conditions of service of journalists is something stakeholders, including him will closely pay attention to.
“If you look at the World Press Freedom Index that was released in the year 2023, the single item that dragged Ghana down the most if you read the report in detail is the welfare and the economic conditions of journalists in Ghana. There are many of our brothers and sisters who at the end of the month do not get a salary. There are many who do not get their statutory payments made on their behalf by their employers, there are many who do not have the necessary pension deductions made and saved in a pension fund for them for the day when they are no longer in active services,” he said.
He continued that,”These are issues that we as journalists, despite the risk that if you talk about it your employers will not be happy with you, these are issues that we must also pay attention to. We like talking about the issues in other industries, but for once, let us also pay attention to this issue in our own industry because if we do not deal with it, our own future is at stake.”
He also said the government will continue to work on the matters of the safety of journalists, indicating that it has already taken a step in that direction.
GJA
For his part, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, also called for better working conditions for media practitioners.
He observed that the working conditions of Journalists must be taken seriously as it tends to affect the performance of Journalists.
“Stakeholders must pay attention to the low level of remuneration of journalists across the country,” Mr Dwumfour said.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori