News
GJA inaugurates new committees
Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour delivering his address
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has inaugurated various committees to help in the running of the association.
They are the Membership Vetting Committee (MVC), the Professional Development Committee (PDC), the Social Affairs Committee (SAC), the International Relations Committee (IRC), and the Finance and Resource Mobilisation Committee (FRMC) in accordance with Articles 30 and 31 of the GJA 2004 Constitution.
Also constituted was the Ethics and Disciplinary Council (EDC) in line with Article 42 of the association’s constitution.
In addition, a Project Management Committee (PMC) and a Social Media Visibility Committee (SMVC) were inaugurated as enshrined in Article 30(a) (vi) of the constitution.
Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), who addressed members of the various committees in Accra, explained that the committees were established to enhance the efficient running of the GJA.
Mr. Dwumfuor said it was a constitutional obligation and also a crucial step towards repositioning GJA as the umbrella association for all media practitioners with the responsibility to promote the highest professional standard.
“We are not oblivious to the task ahead of the media as the country works towards economic recovery amid political activities ahead of the 2024 general elections. Media practitioners are going to play pivotal roles in this and other activities for which the association is strengthening its structures,” he said.
The GJA president said it was for this reason that the members were carefully selected, “and I have no doubt that you would carry out the assignment in the interest of the association and the country.”
The Executive Secretary of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr. George Sarpong, said the NMC supports the GJA’s efforts to uphold journalism values.
The MVC membership are the GJA President, Albert Dwumfour; A. B. Kafui Kanyi of the Ghana News Agency (GNA); Seth Eyiah from the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Mary Mensah of the Daily Graphic, and Nana Yaa Konadu of UTV.
For the PMC and SMVC, members include the GJA Public Affairs Officer, Rebecca Ekpe; the Editor of The Spectator, Emmanuel Amponsah; a former Night Editor, Daily Graphic, Vance Azu; the Editor, Sena Radio Online, Michael Mawugbe; Maame Efua Mensah of UTV; Fred Smith of Joy FM, and Kissi Yeboah, formerly of the GNA.
The SAC members comprise of the GJA National Organising Secretary, Dominic Hlordzi; Grace Nana Esi Boateng of Oman FM, John Vigah of the Ghanaian Times, Peter Ankomah of the Daily Dispatch, and Alice Tettey of the Ghana News Agency, Cape Coast.
Members of the PDC are the GJA General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah; Tina Aforo-Yeboah, former Editor of The Spectator; Ekuoba Gyasi of Atinka FM, Daniel Kenu of the Daily Graphic, and Ernest Obeng-Anim of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
Members of the IRC consist of the GJA Vice-President, Linda Asante Agyei; Ramsey Benambe of the Ghana News Agency, Suleiman Mustapha of the Daily Graphic, Nii Odartey Lamptey of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and Zambaga Rufai of Metro TV.
For the FRMC, the members are the GJA Treasurer, Audrey Dekalu; Donald Ato Dapatem of the Daily Graphic, Samuel Ofori Ayim of Atinka FM, Mabel Aku Baneseh of CREDICOMMS Limited, and Yaa Oforiwaa Asare-Peasah, former Editorial Manager, GNA.
Members of the Ethics and Disciplinary Council are Colonel (retd) Mbawine Atintande; the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr; former Director of News, GTV, Betty Apau-Oppong; lecturer, University of Media, Arts and Communication Studies,Tanko Musah Zakaria, and former Director of News, Graphic Communications Group Limited, Mavis Kitcher.
By George Obeng Osei
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
