, on Wednesday, December 21,2022 held its first annual dinner night at the International Press Centre.){kind=link}
On Wednesday, December 21, 2022, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) held its first Dinner Night at the International Press Centre.
The dinner which used to be part of the GJA Media awards was decoupled this time around.
President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, Rev. Mrs Joyce Aryee, the Executive Chairman of the Tobinco Group of Companies, Elder Nana Amo Tobbin I, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh graced the colourful occasion.
The show’s sponsors and journalists joined the GJA Executives, led by Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, at the Press Center to wine and dine and listen to good music.
Speaking at the event, the GJA President Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour stated that the Annual Dinner Night was to give members the chance to network and socialise with their peers, members of the general public, business partners and members of the diplomatic corps.
He noted that the night was the GJA’s second major event of the year, following the media awards and crown activities.
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Journalists Support Fund
Mr. Albert Dwumfour called on the President to support the Journalists’ Support Fund in order to achieve the purpose for which it was established.
He noted that journalists go through a lot to gather information that matters to the public, but sometimes in their line of duty, they are attacked.
He complained that instead of honouring the works journalists do, the impunity for crimes continues unabated.
The GJA President said what was more worrying is the fact that, invariably, the victims of such crimes do not get justice, largely because they lack the financial support to pursue legal action against their perpetrators.
In other instances, he said they do not have the means to seek medical redress.
“We believe that the setting of the Fund would go a long way to support journalists who come under attack by cushioning them with their medical and legal expenses. We wish to appeal to you, President Akufo Addo to support the Fund financially to enable the GJA achieve the purpose for which it was set up,” he said.
He also expressed concern about the cancellation of the meet the press series with the President, appealing to the President to restore the programme, saying it will go a long way to bridge the information gab between the media and the government.
Mr Albert Dwumfour again appealed to the President to support the GJA to reward journalists who excel or distinguish themselves in the discharge of their duties, especially the Journalist of the year.
He acknowledged the support from the Office of the President and National Security.
He thanked all journalists for their support and contribution towards national development.
Mr. Albert Dwumfour thanked everyone, especially the event’s sponsors, corporate Ghana, for their unwavering support of the GJA throughout the year.
“We will keep up our watchdog role as the fourth estate of the realm by pressing for accountability in the best interest of the general public. This would be accomplished through ethical journalism built on facts, truth in-depth research and unbiased criticism. We will make every effort to put the government under strict financial discipline as we seek the way to economic recovery as part of our watchdog role,” he assured.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori