Western Region GJA urges journalists to hold public office holders accountable

The Western Region branch of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has urged its members to continue to hold Public Office Holders accountable.

Journalists all over the world yesterday, May 3, 2019 met in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa to commemorate the Day.

This year's celebration was under the theme, "Media for democracy: Journalism and elections in times of disinformation”.

In a statement issued by the GJA Western Region Branch and signed by its Secretary, Zambaga Rufai Saminu, copied to Daniel Kaku to commemorate the Day, he commended their gallant media practitioners for daring to hold Public Office Holders accountable.

"We are humbled to commend our gallant media practitioners for daring to hold public office holders accountable while reporting on issues of national interest, and speaking constantly on matters affecting the Ghanaian society as the defining voice of the voiceless", the statement read.

The statement expressed its deepest regret over unprovoked attacks mounted on its members in the Region during the year under review.

The statement therefore, encourage its members to continue to hold the Public Office Holders accountable despite the challenges facing the Association.

"As we commemorate World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2019 under the Theme: “Media for democracy: Journalism and elections in times of disinformation”, we urge all our members and journalists in Western North and Western Regions, to endeavor to continue to uphold the ethics and code of conduct of the profession as key principles of journalism", the statement emphasized.

The statement pleged "We are pleased to use this occasion to announce that the GJA in Western Region will remain solid behind all media practitioners".

The statement revealed that very soon the Association will launch the first edition of GJA Media Awards in the Region to motivate its members to work hard.

"Again, we will like to announce that with the support of civil society, the corporate community and relevant state institutions, the GJA in the Region will soon launch the first edition of the Western Region GJA Media Awards for 2019", the statement revealed.

Below is the full statement

IWESTERN REGION GJA CELEBRATES MEMBERS FOR HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE HOLDERS ACCOUNTABLE

The Western Region branch of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is joining journalists in Ghana and across the world to mark this year's World Press Freedom Day.

We are humbled to commend our gallant media practitioners for daring to hold public office holders accountable while reporting on issues of national interest, and speaking constantly on matters affecting the Ghanaian society as the defining voice of the voiceless.

As we commemorate World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2019 under the Theme: “Media for democracy: Journalism and elections in times of disinformation”, we urge all our members and journalists in Western North and Western Regions, to endeavor to continue to uphold the ethics and code of conduct of the profession as key principles of journalism.

In addition, we will like to express our deepest regret of the few unprovoked attacks the region recorded in the year under review following misunderstanding, and altercations media practitioners had with two police officers and the two main political parties in the country both on air and off air.

We are pleased to use this occasion to announce that the GJA in Western Region will remain solid behind all media practitioners

Again, we will like to announce that with the support of civil society, the corporate community and relevant state institutions, the GJA in the Region will soon launch the first edition of the Western Region GJA Media Awards for 2019.

The date, organizational structure of the awards scheme will be communicated to all members of the Association and the general public.

We will like to assure all our members that the Regional executives will cooperate with the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and other relevant stakeholders to push forward the development agenda of the Region.

We anticipate your full participation during the maiden edition of our awards as we anticipate a successful program.

Thank you!

SIGNED

Zambaga Rufai Saminu

Western Regional Secretary