GJA Draft Constitution Ready

Accra, Feb 13, GNA - The Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has presented a Draft of the Revised GJA Constitution to the National Executives in Accra. The review became necessary following a dispute after the last GJA National Executives elections.

Mr Kwesi Cab-Addae, a Veteran Journalist and Lawyer and Chairman of the CRC, thanked the Executives for the confidence they reposed in the CRC and expressed the hope that members would go ahead to submit memoranda when the document is circulated.

He however expressed regret that not a single memorandum was received during the almost two months that the committee sat. Other members of the Committee were: Mr Kweku Rockson (GIJ), Gideon Sackitey (GNA), Richard Quarshigah (GBC), Dave Agbenu (Ghanaian Times), K. K. Darko (Graphic) Egbert Faibille Jnr (PRINPAG) and Mrs Janet Carboo (TV3).

Mr Cab-Addae said apart from the Constitution itself, the Committee had submitted a short memo, which would guide members to understand some of the provisions, especially those that departed from the existing one. "There are other provisions intended to strengthen the Association and bring members in line with global trends in the media landscape. The CRC Chairman said the Committee deliberately did not define the word 'Journalist'. "We concerned ourselves with categorizations like Full, Associate, Honorary, and Corporate Memberships to take care of who qualifies to become a member."

Mr Cab Addae said Ethical and Disciplinary issues as well as Electoral Processes were fully addressed.

The Committee has made the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association, the highest decision making body and created National Council out of the old National Consultative Committee. The Draft is in 12 sections and covers all the areas of the Association's work and journalistic practice.

Miss Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, President of the GJA saluted the members of the Committee for their toil and sacrifice in crafting a durable and lasting document for the Association.

She said the Draft Constitution would be presented to the entire body at a National Council meeting either in March or April for adoption.