Journalist Association commends Joy FM, Chronicle on SSNIT

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on Thursday congratulated Joy FM and Komla Dumor, a presenter of the radio station, for their tenacity in pursuing the allegations of corruption against some management staff of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to its logical conclusion.

The GJA in a statement signed by Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie also commended the Ghanaian Chronicle for being the first to break the news of corruption at SSNIT. The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) investigated the allegations upon the insistence of Mr Dumor. The statement said the ruling by CHRAJ vindicated the Ghanaian media in terms of its determination to uphold public accountability in the context of the Constitution.

"The victory of Joy FM and Mr Komla Dumor and the moral victory of the media should provide another opportunity for the Executive, the Legislature and civil society organisations to reflect on the challenges confronting the media even as media professionals strive to contribute their quota to good governance."

The statement said issues relating to access to information, reimbursement or legal costs, training for media professionals in investigative journalism and protection of informants should receive the attention of the government as Ghana made efforts to consolidate constitutional rule.