By Prince Acquah, GNA
Cape Coast, Mar 02, GNA – The Central Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has expressed renewed commitment to catalyse change and development in the region.
In that regard, the Association has issued a clarion call to the media in the region to work with a united front to set the agenda for growth and development.
Mr Kingsley Nana Buadu, Regional Chairman of the Association, deplored the slow pace of development in the region, entreating journalists to step up their role as agents of change.
He made the call at the chapter’s maiden convention in Cape Coast which assembled scores of media practitioners including journalists, presenters, programme hosts, managers, and media owners to discuss the welfare of the media and the media’s role in transforming the Central Region.
The historic event also saw the commissioning of the GJA Central Regional office at the Pensioners’ House in Cape Coast.
It was graced by Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, the Central Regional Minister; Mr George Justice Arthur, the Mayor of Cape Coast, heads of various institutions and traditional leaders.
Highlighting some shortfalls of the media, Mr Buadu urged journalists to control the narrative and not allow politicians to dictate the discourse.
“From now on, we will be relentless in our demand for accountability and the development our region deserves,” he said.
“For instance, why is the Komenda Sugar Factory not working after so many promises by politicians? What has become of the Central Regional Development Commission as a development agency?” he queried.
Mr Buadu implored journalists to uphold the ethics of the profession in high esteem and conduct themselves accordingly.
“Dress modestly when you are going on assignments and all unprofessional behaviours must cease from today,” he charged.
The Regional Chairman further entreated media personnel to prioritise their safety at times and avoid going to places which endangered their lives.
“Always remember that no story is worth your life and you must always live to tell the story,” he maintained.
Mr Buadu expressed disquiet over the poor working conditions of journalists in the region, some of whom received very little or no remuneration, and entreated employers to reconsider the welfare of their staff.
Mr Eduamoah, the Regional Minister, denounced excessive partisanship in the media space and urged journalists to eschew bias in the discharge of their duties.
He entreated them to be more innovative and take the initiative to carry out investigations for real development stories instead of limiting themselves to assignments.
Aside from journalism, the Regional Minister encouraged journalists to find other streams of income to support themselves, citing farming as a lucrative venture.
He advised journalists to seek knowledge and consistently upgrade themselves to carry out their duties effectively and leverage opportunities which might come their way, pledging to support journalists in that regard.
He expressed disquiet over poor sanitation in the region and rallied the support of the media to change the situation.
Mr Eduamoah assured the media of an open-door policy as he pledged to be accountable and transparent.
Mr Arthur, the Mayor of Cape Coast commended journalists in the region for their contribution to development and pledged the support of his office for the media.
He seized the opportunity to sell the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly’s eight-year development to the media and solicited their support to make it a reality.
Madam Nicholina Adumuah, the Central Regional Head of the National Insurance Commission (NIC), sensitised the journalists about the need to protect themselves with insurance and implored them to educate the public.
She promised special insurance packages for journalists in the region as well as the GJA Regional Office.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Kenneth Odeng Adade