People ‘deliberately’ refuse to appreciate GJA’s good works – Affail Monney

GJA president Affail Monney has expressed great concern towards the nonchalant attitude many have towards appreciating journalists in the country.

Considering the fact that some get gravely injured and even die in the bid to get information to the Ghana Journalists Association, the President vowed to everything in his power to continually protect and advance the interest of all journalists across the country.

He said the association is constantly seeking the welfare of its members and policing the media landscape to ensure that best practices are observed and standards are enhanced.

He lambasted critics who accused the association of doing little to fight for the wellbeing of journalists and failing to properly shape the course of journalism and media practice in the country.

He described them as not having good appreciation of the work they do and having little knowledge of the profession.

“It is wrong for anybody to conclude that because you have one or two journalists being molested, even in service countries, journalists are molested, you can't legislate against attacks on journalists you can’t. We have people who refuse to appreciate the work we do, we have people who do not understand what we call media literacy, such people will always be with us but what we need to do is to always rally to the defence of our colleagues who are attacked in their line of duty. We have sworn an oath and we shall never flinch on doing anything possible to defend our people”

Affail Monney pointed to the latest ranking of Ghana’s media as the best in Africa and 23rd in the world as a feat attained significantly because of the work done by his outfit and other stakeholders in the country.

He absorbed the Association of blame in terms of instituting measures to protect professionals from being assaulted hinting that no form of legislation can fully prevent or protect journalists.

“GJA is on record as having fought for the repeal of the criminal libel law. If the environment now is conducive to media practice. If Ghana is touted as the freest media system in Africa and globally 23rd at ranking like US and UK then it means the media fraternity and the umbrella organisation have played a frontal role. Our rankings on the world press freedom index and other accolades are not the products of circumstance, they are the fruits of tireless efforts strenuous efforts, tenacious moves by the media community and Ghana Journalist Association” he explained, in an interview with www.ghanaweb.com at the 25th World Press Freedom Day held in Accra.



The event which was attended by over 800 journalists worldwide, was graced by Director-General of UNESCO, Information Minister, Education Minister and other Ministers of state and esteemed journalists.

The theme for this year’s celebration is Keeping Power in check; Media, Justice and Rule of Law.