WAJA calls for collective conventions for journalists

Accra, Dec. 18, GNA - The West African Journalists Association (WAJA) on Thursday called on the ECOWAS Heads of State and Governments to elaborate and adopt collective convention for journalists within the West African sub-region.

The WAJA also called for the development of a harmonised document of press legislation in WAJA/ECOWAS countries as well as intensify efforts in the area of press freedom and protection of journalists in the performance of their duties.

The association's call was contained in a declaration paper signed by its president Mr Ibrahim Famakan Coulibaly. The document was circulated to ECOWAS Summit Press Corps just after the end of the Foreign Ministers meetings, which herald the 27th Ordinary Summit of Heads of States and Governments slated for Friday, December 19, 2003 in Accra.

The WAJA said efforts must be exerted to promote press freedom and the security of journalists.

It stressed: "it is important for WAJA to get the necessary support from ECOWAS so that West Africa can be a place of freedom, democracy, progress and development.

"We want a free and dynamic media, which is an element that contributes to the consolidation of democracy, and peace which is one of the objectives of ECOWAS".

The association gave the assurance that it would be committed to fighting against diseases like trachoma, HIV/AIDS, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, child trafficking and the phenomenon of child soldiers.

Meanwhile the 27th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) commence on December 19th with the Summit of the Second Monetary Zone members.