GJA launches handbook

Accra, Sept. 10, GNA - A handbook on the constitution, code of ethics and professional guidelines on journalism was on Wednesday launched in Accra as a prelude to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) extraordinary congress coming off on Friday, September 12. The handbook, which has been put together to provide members of the Association with materials to help them make more informed decisions at the congress, contains the GJA Constitution and byelaws, the Code of Ethics and the Rules of Procedure of the Ethics Committee. It also contains the Guidelines for Coverage of Conflict Situations and the Association's Guiding Principles for Coverage of the National Reconciliation Process.

"This handbook should be a source of reference to journalists in Ghana who wish to make informed pronouncements about the GJA," Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, President of GJA, said at the launch. Over 900 copies have been printed to be distributed to paid-up members of the Association countrywide.

The French Embassy sponsored the GJA in printing of the publication with 15 million cedis.

Mrs Affenyi-Dadzie said the Association, over the years has recognised through experience the importance of providing guidelines for media practitioners on how to deal with specific challenges. It is in this vein that the handbook has been compiled to provide journalists with some of the basic information about the Association, within the context of its basic aims and objectives, she said. She expressed the hope that with the publication, members would respond more to the challenges of the times

"The publication should further strengthen the Association in recognition of the vital role it is playing in the development of the fearless but responsible media in Ghana."

Mr Denis Decraene, Co-operation Attach=E9 at the French Embassy, commended the GJA for its strength and for supporting good governance in the country.

He expressed the hope that the Association would continue to grow and perform its watchdog role in society.

Mr Kwasi Afriyie Badu, Chief Executive Officer of the KAB Government Consult, who chaired the launch, described the current developments in the association arising from the recent elections as a very positive sign that would enable members to reflect upon its administration.

He said the profession would continue to be a noble and responsible one in the world and members of the association should study the constitution for them to make responsible remarks about its operation. "The GJA Constitution is bigger than any individual of the Association. So we should respect it and perform according to its provisions," he said.