Ghana Journalists Association pursues unionization for better service conditions

On Aug 16, 2015

Mr. Affail Monney - GJA President — Mr. Affail Monney – GJA President

President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Mr Roland Affail Monney has said the association is pursuing unionization as that holds the key to improved conditions of service for journalists.

“We have submitted an application to the chief labour officer for the GJA to be registered for the first time in its history as a union. Upon receipt of certificate of registration, we shall further apply for a collective bargaining certificate which will up-hoist the association as the appropriate agency to negotiate for terms and conditions of employment for our members”, the President said at the 20th GJA awards on Saturday.

Mr Monney added that the GJA was in the process of reviewing its code of ethics in response to changing trends in the profession, through the assistance of Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

He noted that while the Ghanaian media was exposing corruption, scrutinizing government’s behaviours and including the citizenry in public discourse, the flipside showed “a compulsive and obsessive politicization of issues except perhaps the air we breathe.”

The 20th GJA awards was themed “Ghana In Search of Reliable Energy to Power Development: The Role of The Media” in the context of Ghana’s current energy crisis which has adversely affected industry and the media.

The Chairman of the National Peace Council Rt Rev Prof Emmanuel Asante, reiterated the need for the media to focus on the implementation of Ghana’s second millennium compact through credible information dissemination, education and monitoring of the project.

“The media has a lot to do in ensuring that we come out of the woods”, he said.

The 20th awards saw 32 awards given to members who had shown excellence in duty.

Below is the list of awards and recipients:

Arts and Tourism – Rebekah Awuah, GBC 24

Crime and Court – Elvis Darko, The Finder.

Anti-corruption –Mabel Aku Baneseh, Daily Graphic

Education (electronic) – Wendy Laryea, TV3

Environmental Reporting –Daniel Nonor, The Chronicle

Investigative Reporting –Kwettey Nartey, Joy FM

Best Feature (print) – Jamila Okertchiri, Daily Guide

Best Feature (TV) –Seth Kwame Boateng, Multi TV

Small and Micro Enterprises –. Zadok Gyasi, Daily Graphic