The Ghana Journalists Association is appealing for support to help the Association celebrate its 75th anniversary. The GJA was established on August 15, 1949. At the time of its establishment, the Association was known as the Africa Press Association.
The Ghana Journalists Association has been headed by Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, Gifty Affenyi Dadzie, Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, Nana Kwaku Dei I (known privately as Ransford Tetteh), and Roland Affail Monney, the immediate past President.
Speaking at the launch of the anniversary, the President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, explained that despite the challenges, the Association has grown to support journalists against unwarranted attacks, particularly from political figures.
“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. The GJA continues to make positive strides in the country’s quest for national development. However, unlike the persecution that our pioneers faced, including the pain of imprisonment and human rights violations, today, the media face prosecution from inimical laws that criminalize freedom of speech and expression, as well as assault, which is a deviation from the rule of law.”
“In recent times, journalists and media outlets have been targeted by political hoodlums while on assignment. 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,” he said.
To help journalists properly celebrate the anniversary, Mr. Dwumfour appealed for support and partnerships.
“I wish to use this opportunity to invite our corporate partners and friends to support us on this journey. The story of the GJA can never be told without your unflinching support. You have helped to bring us this far. This is not the time to abandon us. We appeal to you to rally behind us with your financial support so that together, we can make this anniversary celebration a success.”
Source:Â A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
