The president of the GJA praises his predecessors

General News on Thursday, May 30, 2019

Source: GNA

2019-05-30

Mr. Roland Affail Monney, President of the Ghana Association of Journalists (GJA) acknowledged the role his predecessors played in transforming the badociation into a world-renowned Union.

Monney, who praised the launch of the 70th anniversary celebrations of Egyptian justice in Accra, said: "We acknowledge the valuable role played by TB Ottie, Ben Dorkenoo, Frbader Ofori-Atta, Martin Therson-Cofie, Sam Arthur Kwame Kyem Gyewu, Edwin Tengey and Edward Ameyibor, all of whom belonged to the GJA's Old Testament. "

"In the New Testament, two leaders stand incredibly high: Kabal Blay Amihere and Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, Emeritus Secretary-General Bright Kwame Blewu, as well as former Presidents Ajoa Yeboah Afari and Ransford Tetteh (also known as Nana Kweku Dei) ), as well as deserve praise, "he added.

The anniversary, which was officially launched by former President John Agyekum Kufuor, is on the theme of "Democracy, Freedom and Media Independence in Ghana: 70 Years of GJA Contribution".

Since the creation of the GJA on August 15, 1949, it has played a very important role in the political discourse and the socio-economic development of the country.

Mr. Monney said, "In the past 70 years, the road has never been straight." We have experienced a persecution curve perpetrated by brutal military regimes and a frustrating loop of heartless media enemies. But through the motor of perseverance, the steel of the heart and the hand of God on the top leaders of the badociation of journalists, we have gone so far. "

Mr Monney paid tribute to former President Kufuor for the outstanding role he played during his tenure in promoting press freedom in the country.

He congratulated him for repealing the notorious laws criminalizing freedom of expression and liberalizing the space that interfered with the freedom of the media.

He recounted that under former president Kufuor, the media had undeniably earned their honor in the democratic governance structure; declaring that "all this makes him a president to celebrate, a democrat to appreciate and a model to imitate".

Monney said at age 70 that the GJA was obviously mature but not obviously old enough to learn useful lessons that could guide the Association towards the future.

He said that one of the blatant lessons was that press freedom meant more than the absence of state repression.

He said the anniversary of platinum was a good opportunity for journalists from all walks of life and all walks of life to see themselves as one, to join forces and to synergize their efforts to defend their rights. freedom of the press, not with lies and guns, but with truth and diligence until the center. principles that underpin the profession.

Mr. Money said that the public expected journalists to serve them better; saying, "Then we dare not fail."

He added that in response to this challenge, a series of birthday programs would be developed, aimed at putting the Ghanaian media on the path of professional ancestry.

These include a media summit, which would bring together experts to reflect on the state of the profession, diagnose its ills, badess its strengths and point the way forward.

There would also be special forums on how to reposition two key state institutions, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and the Ghana News Agency, to make them work optimally in the United States. space of turbulence of the media.

Mr. Monney said that one of the milestones of the anniversary would be the creation of a Hall of Fame for outstanding Ghanaian journalists.

Other activities include medical screening of journalists at their workplace, health walks and fun games involving the Ghana Armed Forces and police as well as Christian and Muslim cults.

He noted that the highlight would be the GJA Awards Night on November 23, 2019.