The jostling has intensified among aspirants vying for different positions in the GJA elections scheduled for June 30.Aspirants are leaving no stone unturned as they traverse the length and breadth of the country, visiting various newsrooms and media outlets to catch the attention of their colleagues who have the voting right.Akwesi Agyemang, Gen.
Secretary positionCaesar Abagali, Public Affairs Officer aspirantDominic Hlordzi, National Organising Secretary, hopefulMaxwell Kudekor, National Organising Secretary, aspirantZadok Kwame Gyesi, Public Affairs officer aspirantSuleiman Mustapha,National Organising Secretary, hopefulBertha Badu-Agyei, National Treasurer hopefulIn all, 60 candidates have been cleared to contest the various positions advertised with balloting for positions on the ballot paper already done.Key among the national positions being contested are, President, Vice President, General Secretary, Organising Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Affairs Officer.Incumbent Albert Kwabena Dwumfour who is seeking a second term is locking horns with Charles Yao Mawusi, a communication specialist and media consultant in a two-horse presidential race.While Mr Dwumfour, campaigning for continuity says the GJA had seen remarkable transformation since taking leadership of the association, his contender, Yao Mawusi is promising a new face for the association.For Dwumfour GJA had become very attractive due to a number of initiatives undertaken by his leadership including the establishment of a support fund for journalists, hosting the 2024 Africa Media Convention in Ghana, and programmes to ensure journalists' safety.However, for Mawusi, the time had come to revamp the association with measures to deal with the nagging issues of journalists' welfare, poor remuneration, capacity building, and career development in addition to safety of journalists in the country.The Vice Presidential race is an all-female affair between the current Public Affairs Officer and editor at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Rebecca Ekpe and Mary Tawiah Mensah, Foreign Editor of the Daily Graphic.Banking her hopes on her previous works, Ms Ekpe says her track record demonstrated clear leadership skills, knowledge, and experience.Ms Mensah on her part pledged to uphold the highest standards of journalistic excellence, drive innovation, and be a steadfast advocate for press freedom."Together, we can uplift our profession, amplify the voices that matter, and shape a future for journalism in Ghana and across the continent, that we can all be proud of.
Let's unite to elevate our noble calling" she said.Mr Dominic Hlordzi, the incumbent National Organising Secretary is fleshing it out with Mr Akwasi Agyemang for the position of General Secretary with the message of promoting professionalism"I will promote professionalism, ethical standards, and the safety of all journalists across the country, because no journalist should ever be attacked or vilified for doing their job," he said.Akwasi Agyeman who is vying for same position for the second time on the other hand is hoping to be lucky this time around."One of the issues I will be pursuing passionately if given the chance is securing funding for the safety of journalists," he said.For the national treasurer position, Ms Bertha Badu-Agyei, an editor at the Ghana News Agency (GNA) believes she possesses the qualities and her colleagues must entrust her with it, however, she would not have it on a silver platter as Theodora Amedetor of GBC vows to give her a run for her money.Perhaps, one of the positions to look out for would be the National Organising Secretary keenly contested between Maxwell Kudekor, the GJA Eastern Regional Chairman, and Suleimana Mustapha, Acting Editor of Graphic Business.Mr Kudekor is banking on his strength as a regional leader of the association."The strength and future of the Association lie in its members and must be built from the bottom-up and therefore pledged to empower journalists and strengthen the Association's institutional foundations," he said.Mr Mustapha for his part, pledged to prioritise journalists' welfare, emphasizing that "It must be an expensive enterprise to attack journalists."For Public Affairs Officer, Ceasar Abagali of the Ghana News Agency is making a comeback bid after his previous loss, competing against Zadok Kwame Gyesi, formerly with Graphic Online.Meanwhile, the GJA Elections Committee has announced proxy voting in its National and Regional Executive Elections, scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025.The arrangement, in accordance with the Association's Election Guidelines, aims to ensure that no eligible member is disenfranchised due to travel, health challenges, or other legitimate constraints that may prevent in-person voting.A press statement issued by the elections committee and signed by its chair, Peter Martey Agbeko copied The Ghanaian Times said any paid-up member of the association in good standing who would be unable to vote in person on election day was allowed to apply to vote by proxy."Proxy members would address their request to the Chairman, GJA Elections Committee, stating clearly the intention to vote by proxy.Founded in 1949, the GJA is the main professional body representing journalists in Ghana.Its mission includes promoting journalistic professionalism and standards, strengthening the media's role in democracy and governance, and defending freedom of expression, media pluralism, and access to information.BY NORMAN COOPER
