I Have Not Stepped Down - GJA Prez

The newly elected president of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh has denied media reports that he has resigned his new position. A statement issued by the Ghana Journalists Association on Friday said Mr Ayeboafoh offered to step down in the interest of peace and unity after his rival, Yaw Owusu challenged his eligibility.

Mr Owusu Addo has called on the GJA to declare the elections null and void because Mr Ayeboafoh was not a paid up member of the Association at the close of nominations, a situation that contravenes the GJA’s constitution.

But Mr Ayeboafoh says he offered to step down only if the GJA failed to amicably resolve the matter, resulting in litigation. A statement signed by Mr Ayeboafoh said the GJA Executives, after fruitless deliberations on the matter at a meeting attended by both parties on Friday, resolved to undertake further consultations on the matter.

The GJA President-elect says his offer to resign, stems from the fact the elections officer is being blamed for the controversy when the GJA Executive was part of the whole process.

“My decision to offer to tender my resignation as President-elect when it comes to that stems from the fact that the GJA Executives conducted the elections. The elections officer only served as an agent of the GJA Executive. The list of members in good standing was compiled by the GJA Executive, not the election officer. It was the GJA Executives, which published the list. It was the GJA Executives, which announced the results. At all these material times, Mr Yaw Owusu-Addo was a member of the GJA Executive”, the statement added.