Public appreciates media's watchdog role - Affenyi-Dadzie

Accra, Oct. 10, GNA - Mrs. Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, immediate past President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) on Friday, asked media practitioners to exhibit accountability And a high standard of professionalism to up lift the image of the Association.

She said the public now appreciate better the media's role as watchdog of society and urged media practitioners not take the public support for granted but strive to uphold its integrity and dignity. Mrs Affenyi-Dadzie made the appeal when a new six-member Executive Committee of the Association was sworn into office at the Ghana International Press centre in Accra.

She also handed over to the new Executives under the Presidency of Miss Ajoa Yeboah-Afari.

Mrs Affenyi-Dadzie said the Association stood out as a credible civil society organization and was unquestionably one of the pillars for democratic development.

She noted that the acquisition of a permanent secretariat and the appointment of a full time Director of the Press centre were geared towards strengthening the Association to be able to serve the interest of the members better.

The Out-going President said the past executives had put in place mechanisms to collate views of members on the right to Information Bill.

She said the past executive was confident that the in-coming administration would complete this task to enable the Association to present its views to the Attorney-General's office.

Mrs. Affenyi-Dadzie said, in the interest of democratic governance, the Association had given priority to the development of the Whistle Blower Act, to provide protection against victimization of any individual who might, in the public interest, disclose information that related to unlawful or other illegal conduct and practices of others. The Immediate past President, said the Association worked tirelessly in 2000 to support free and fair elections, to consolidate and safeguard the positive aspects of Ghana's electoral process. "It is my wish to see the GJA play an active role in equipping the media to support elections," she said.

To members of the Association, Mrs. Affenyi-Dadzie said, " Whatever mistakes we might have committed, I can assure you, were done in good faith and without malice."

Mr Paul Adu-Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) swore the six-member executive, into office.