Former GJA President goes home on Friday

Mr Edward Yao Ameyibor, a former President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), would be laid to rest on Friday, July 5, after a pre-burial service at the Tema Joint Church, Community 7, at Tema.

That would be followed by a private burial in keeping with his traditional status as a prince.

This was announced by Torgbe Walter Ameyibor, Head of the Ameyibor Family in Accra and Tema.

The veteran journalist died at the Trust Hospital at Osu on, Monday, May 13, at the age of 76 after a short illness.

His mortal remains would lie in state at the Joint Church for colleagues, friends and family to pay their last respects from 6:00 am to 8:00 am. This will be followed by the service and final funeral rites at the same venue.

The dress code for the funeral would be Black and White for Friday, July 5 and White for the Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, July 7, at the Tema Joint Church.

There shall not be any activity on Saturday, July 6, according to the families’ schedules.

The late Mr Ameyibor, affectionately called (Oga) a title he picked while working as GNA’s correspondent to Lagos, Nigeria, from October 1, 1963, to August 31, 2002, rose to the Chief Reporter grade with Special Duties on 1st May, 1970.

He was Editor in May 1975; Senior Editor in February 1981; Chief Editor in 1997 and Supervising Chief Editor in 2000, the highest grade in the Editorial Department, after the retirement of the late Mr. K.B. Wood.

He was also the General Manager of the Tamale-based Diamond FM and also a Media Consultant.

Until his death, he was the General Secretary of the SSNIT Pensioners Association and the Vice President of HelpAge Ghana.

Tributes have been sent from journalists across the country and beyond since his demise, which invariably describe him as a “phenomenal person”, who devotedly mentored many young journalists with a great deal of passion and affability.

His patriotism, high regard for professionalism and ethics; as well as his rich sense of humour, which always served as a laudable asset for conflict resolution and peace building, have also been praised.

Mr Kwaku Osei Bonsu, the Supervising Chief Editor of the GNA, said: “Oga played his part well. He was a true professional. Indeed, the inky fraternity has lost a strong pillar.”

Mr Affail Monney, Ambassador Kabral Blay Amihere, Mrs Gifty Affenyi Dadzie, and Ms Ajoa Yeboah – Afari, all former Presidents of the GJA, have paid their tributes to the fallen giant of the inky fraternity.

Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng, immediate past Chairman of the National Media Commission, Mr Albert Sam, a member of the Board of the GNA, Mr Cameron Duodu, a veteran journalist, Mr Kwesi Pratt and many senior editors and journalists, also paid their tributes.

Travel and Conferences

In the discharge of his duties, Eddie travelled outside the country many times for seminars and conferences.

He also engineered a joint partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, now Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, on which they travelled around Ghana organising training programmes for journalists.

Oga also served two terms as the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

He retired voluntarily in August, 2002, after serving GNA for 38 years. His letter to the Agency in respect of his voluntary retirement was a big blow to Management as he had one year left to attain the compulsory retiring age of 60.

Eddie was, indeed, a manager of repute. Both young and old staff trooped to his office/house to seek his counsel on many issues.

An accomplished journalist, he left a legacy of forthrightness, truth, discipline and hard work. To those of us who worked with him, he was our hero.

He will forever be remembered as a man of peace, friendship and tolerance.