The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) will commemorate this year’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD 2024) in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, on Friday, May 3, 2024.
This will be the first time in recent memory that the GJA is commemorating WPFD outside the national capital, Accra.
The move is in line with a commitment by the National Executive to organize such national events outside Accra in order to make the regional branches vibrant and inspire in all members a strong sense of belonging to the Association regardless of their geographical location.
This was contained in a statement signed by the General Secretary of the GJA, Kofi Yeboah.
The global theme for WPFD 2024 is: “Press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the environmental crisis.”
However, the GJA has chosen the national theme: “Leveraging journalism for a sustainable environment and future,” as it seeks to lead a strong media campaign for the protection of the environment and the good of the country.
The following people are expected to grace the occasion: the Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong; the Minister of Information-designate, Fatimatu Abubakar; the Head of Office & Representative of the UNESCO Office, Accra, Edmond Moukala; and the Press Attaché at the Embassy of the United States of America, Accra, Kevin Brosnahan.
Others expected are the Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. John Kingsley Akrugu, who will deliver the Keynote Address. Erastus Asare Donkor of the Multimedia Group Limited will also share some critical thoughts on staying the course of environmental protection through journalism.
In December 1993, the UN General Assembly proclaimed May 3 as World Press Freedom Day based on the recommendation of UNESCO and in tandem with the anniversary celebration of the ‘Declaration of Windhoek’ by the latter’s General Conference on May 3.
The commemoration of the Day is to remind governments of their commitments to press freedom and the need to respect the same.
Media professionals and practitioners across the world also use WPFD to reflect on issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Bolgatanga
