Renowned Businessman, Sir Sam Jonah KBE, OSG has called on journalists to rise to the occasion, to uphold the values that have defined their noble profession.
Speaking at the launch of the 75th anniversary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) at the Labadi Beach Hotel yesterday, Sir Jonah said “As we celebrate this landmark anniversary, let it be a call to all journalists to rise to the occasion, to uphold the values that have defined your noble profession, and to hopefully continue to be the beacon of hope and accountability our nation relies upon”
“Your association’s inception came at a pivotal time, as Ghana stood on the verge of defining its future, breaking free from colonial domination. Your Association, predating even our nation’s independence, became the crucible within which the fervent hopes and aspirations of a people were nurtured and expressed.
“Even before the formation of your association, nationalists like J. B. Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah, Kofi Batsa, Eric Heyman, Kofi Baako, T. D Baffoe, Kofi Badu, amongst others stood at the vanguard of the struggle, wielding the might of the pen and the unwavering spirit of truth as they used their voices for advocacy.
According to him, dreams of a liberated and thriving Ghana were expressed through purposeful writing and careful dissemination on pain of punishment adding, “These were patriotic men who were inspired and motivated by the ideals of a free and prosperous nation”.
“Today, as we traverse the sands of time, and reminisce the jubilation of independence, through the trials of military regimes to the sometimes rancorous, other times harmonious ebb and flow of democracy, we find the essence of journalism tested and exalted”
