GJA launches new cards

Accra, June 13, GNA - The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) launched a new and more sophisticated identification card for its members in its attempt to stem impersonation.

Mrs. Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, Member of the Council of State who performed the launch said the new ID card, which had high security features, would promote discipline, decorum and accurate information about the holder.

She appealed to the Association to occasionally publish the names of their members to help flush out imposters and also to let the public know those who might be in good standing.

In addition, members who misconducted themselves or did not pay their dues should not have their cards renewed. Mrs. Afenyi-Dadzie called on people who did not work in the media to desist from pasting press stickers on their vehicles and urged the police and the Association to keep such people under check. The new cards come in seven different types for the various categories namely Executive Members, Full Members, Corporate Members, Honorary and Students.

In his welcoming address, the President of the Association, Mr Ransford Tetteh said the new cards would not only help root out fake journalists but also help to improve on the quality of the data base of members.

He said the GJA had been able to purchase a special machine for the printing of the ID cards, which would be valid for 3 years and appealed to editors and all media houses to make it mandatory for their reporters on assignments to carry either their GJA or official ID cards along.

He charged events organizers to demand the identity of journalists who attend their programmes to help control activities of infiltrators. DSP Kwesi Ofori, Acting Head, Police Public Relation, warned that imposters would be arrested and prosecuted as their activities were fraudulent. He appealed to the Association to provide a Complaint Desk where the fraudsters would be reported. Some of the cards were presented to members by Mrs Affenyi-Dadzie as part of the ceremony. 14 June 07