The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) engaged with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to discuss enhancing the Agency’s operations amid existing challenges. Key points included advocacy for media freedom, government support for funding, and the commitment to improving journalists’ welfare and working conditions. Both organizations recognized the significance of the GNA in ensuring credible news dissemination and its role in Ghana’s democracy.
On March 12, the leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) met with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra to explore enhancements to the Agency’s operations and tackle its existing challenges. This meeting emphasized the necessity of a well-resourced national news agency for supporting journalism and ensuring trustworthy news delivery in Ghana.
Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, the President of the GJA, expressed the Association’s dedication to advocating for media institutions, emphasizing their success is critical to journalists’ welfare and public information quality. He recognized the GNA’s significant contributions to journalism, highlighting the involvement of its journalists in the Association’s governance over time.
Mr. Dwumfour reiterated the GJA’s commitment to promoting media freedom and safeguarding the independence of journalistic entities. He highlighted that a robust and supported GNA is indispensable for the democracy and development of the nation. Furthermore, he assured journalists that the GJA will persist in championing their welfare, including advocating for improved compensation and working conditions.
During the discussions, Mr. Albert Kofi Owusu, General Manager of the GNA, called for government recapitalization of the Agency to boost its operational efficiency. He emphasized that despite the Agency’s potential for high productivity, constraints from years of inadequate funding had hindered its effectiveness.
Mr. Owusu addressed the consequences of insufficient remuneration, which contributed to a high turnover of talented personnel seeking opportunities elsewhere. He reaffirmed the GNA’s commitment to maintaining professionalism and ethical journalism, stressing the credibility of GNA’s news content amidst challenges.
Since its establishment in March 1957, the Ghana News Agency has been the nation’s exclusive state-owned wire service, crucial in gathering and disseminating news locally and internationally. It serves as a foundation of credible journalism, providing news services to various media outlets across Ghana, backed by correspondents in all regions for comprehensive coverage of national events.
The GJA delegation included Mr. Kofi Yeboah (General Secretary), Mrs. Audrey Dekalu (National Treasurer), and Mr. Dominic Hlordzi (Organising Secretary). The GNA team featured Mrs. Beatrice Asamani Savage (Director of Editorial) and several other key personnel to facilitate effective collaboration.
The engagement between the Ghana Journalists Association and the Ghana News Agency underscores a commitment to enhancing media operations and addressing pressing challenges. The discussions highlighted the critical role of a well-supported GNA in fostering journalism excellence and credible news dissemination in Ghana, with a collective focus on improving the working conditions and welfare of journalists.
Original Source: gna.org.gh
