Electoral controversy: an opportunity for stocktaking - GJA President

Accra, Oct. 10, GNA - Ms. Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) on Friday said the disputed GJA elections has become a blessing in disguise as it had given members the opportunity to take stock and move ahead.

She said: "Apathy has been the bane of the GJA over the years and clearly, a wonderful spin-off of the recent events is that it has generated a lot interest in the Association and many old members have stated their intention to renew their membership."

Ms. Yeboah-Afari, who was giving her maiden speech after the handing over and swearing in ceremony of the old and new executives of the GJA at the Accra International Press Centre urged the members to support the new executives.

"It is my ardent hope that the swearing in of this new executive today puts the seal on any divisions in the Association, "stressing "as far as I'm concerned as media people, we have only one, common enemy that is bad journalism, which we need to unite to fight with all the weapons at our disposal including truth, research, accuracy, fairness, objectivity, dedication and professionalism."

It is not enough to pay dues, active participation is the lifeblood of any organisation, she said, and called on all regional branches to hold periodic meetings for bonding and to strengthen GJA. She chastised the Greater Accra branch for always hiding behind the national executives, saying, "Greater Accra has always had the tendency to hide behind the national office's activities, the situation can be likened to the grown up child who is reluctant to leave the comforts of the parental home and establish on his or her own, Greater Accra, we challenge you to assert yourself, you are old enough to leave home."

The New GJA President also denied allegations of vote buying and other electoral malpractices levelled against her during the electioneering campaign and described it as a wicked lie.

Ms Yeboah-Afari said it is sad that the practices that we attack with screaming headlines when politicians commit them are also found in journalists' elections and posed the question, what moral right will we have to criticise politicians if some of our members are guilty of the same offences.

Mr Paul Adu-Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Bar Association who performed the swearing in ceremony noted that Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie's six-year presidency had been a period of progress.

He therefore, charged the new executives to consolidate the achievement and build upon the foundation laid down over the years. The new executives are; Ms Yeboah-Afari president, Mr Frank Asmah Vice President, Mr Bright Blewu, General Secretary, Ms Yaa Oforiwaa Acquah Treasurer, Mr Matthew Mac-Kwame and Affail Monney executive members.