Kufuor charges GJA to monitor and protect its members

Former President John Agyekum Kufour has tasked the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) with ongoing monitoring and ensuring that their members are protected to prevent future attacks.

In the last 24 months, the country has experienced some of the most brutal moments in attacks against media personnel.

While many were injured to varying degrees during attacks, the badbadination of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale earlier this year painted the country in black in terms of media freedom.

Speaking as a guest speaker at a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the GJA under the theme "Democracy, Freedom and Media Independence in Ghana," MJA Kuffour urged the badociation to put on in place measures to monitor their members and provide a certain level of protection.

The former president also praised the role of watchdog in society after 70 years of existence.

According to him, the work of journalist in the country is proof of his immense contribution to the growth of the nation.

"The media is a critical surveillance institution charged with ensuring the proper functioning and effectiveness of the mechanism and must therefore be an inspector of the constitution in all its terms and objectives. The media can not therefore be exempted from the principles of constitutions.

"Mr. Speaker, it is fully understanding these principles that the government I led repealed the clearly undemocratic criminal defamation law in 2001. In fact, it was the very first law repealed by our new government in its first year.

"The repeal has not only liberated the media landscape, but has also given real meaning to Ghana's democratic governance. Ladies and gentlemen, I am convinced that the Ghana Journalists Association has performed credibly over the past 70 years, despite the very careful history it has played in contributing and making a positive contribution to our dear nation, "said former President Kuffour.

At the ceremony, the leaders of the GJA also awarded the former President the title of "Champion of the Champions of Democracy".