The newly sworn in Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Kingsley E. Hope has promised to work hard to ensure the organization becomes vibrant in the region.
With the introduction of periodic workshops and training programs for the executives as well as paid-up members, the regional chair believes this new drive will make the group a very active one.
Mr Hope also promised the introduction of an award program which will confer honors on media practitioners in the region whose work will be found to be in the arena of developmental journalism.
The new GJA chair mentioned the elaborate plan by his outfit to ensure all practicing journalists in the region become members of the Association so as to enable them with one voice fight for what they deserve as practitioners.
MEDIA ATTACKS:
The GJA regional chair speaking to the Ghanaian Observer Newspaper later, expressed his opprobrium at the recent attack on the offices of the Daily Guide in Kumasi.
According to him, no media outfit should be intimidated for any of the activities they carry out since the media practice is backed by law and strict regulations regarding its conduct.
Mr Hope asked that members of the public rather than seeking to antagonize or attack the media for the work they do test the court or seek redress at the National Media Commission (NMC) if they feel they have been wronged or rights have been abused.
‘’No journalist or media practitioner should be attacked for carrying out his or her legitimate duties since the role of the media is enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of Ghana’’, Mr Hope stressed with passion.
He, however, called on government as well as the public to treat the media well since they perform the functions that brings to the fore the real issues of life and things that affects people.
CHARGE:
Swearing in the two executives, Kingsley Hope and Georgina Ama Ankomah, Regional Chairman and Secretary of the GJA respectively, Mr Samuel Obeng Diawuo, Justice at the High Court reminded them of their responsibilities.
He charged them to be of good behavior and work with the ethics as enshrined in the GJA code. He also encouraged them to abide by the regulations governing media practice.
Mr Serebuo Quiacoe, Ashanti Regional EC Boss, urged the new executives to work to ensure the welfare of media practitioners in the region is protected.
Mr Sam Kwatia, Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and Chairman of the occasion reminded the executives of their core mandates and rallied them to work to make the journalism profession a noble one.
