By Jesse Ampah Owusu
Accra, Sept. 18, GNA – The Government has thrown its weight behind the Ghana Journalists Association’s bid to host the Sixth Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) Congress, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, said on Thursday.
He said the Government strongly supported the Association’s efforts to host the congress because it would further showcase Ghana’s achievements in press freedom and democratic governance.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu said this at the opening of the Federation’s high-level Steering Committee meeting in Accra, where media leaders from across Africa gathered to deliberate on issues affecting journalism and the future of the profession on the continent.
He expressed optimism that Ghana would be selected to host the event as the country prepared to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of its independence next year.
“Hosting the congress would provide an opportunity to highlight Ghana’s democratic progress, commitment to free speech and its reputation as a leading advocate of media freedom on the continent,” he said.
The Minister said the Government remained committed to creating a safe and enabling environment for journalists to carry out their work.
He described the media as a key partner in national development, noting that regular engagement between government and the media was critical to ensuring that public concerns were effectively addressed.
The FAJ on Thursday opened its high-level Steering Committee meeting in Accra, hosted by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) with support from the KGL Group.
The two-day meeting brought together leaders of journalists’ associations and media organisations from across Africa.
Discussions centered on press freedom, journalists’ safety and welfare, professional development and emerging trends shaping the media landscape across the continent.
A key item on the agenda was the selection of a host country for the Sixth FAJ Congress, with Ghana among the countries that have submitted bids to host the event.
Mr Omar Farouk Osman, President of the Federation of African Journalists, commended the Government for its efforts to promote free speech and lauded the GJA for championing the rights and welfare of journalists.
He urged African journalists to tell the continent’s stories and preserve its history from an African perspective, noting that the continent had for too long been portrayed through narratives that did not always reflect its realities, aspirations and achievements.
“African journalists must be fully involved in continental and global discussions on information integrity to advance media and information literacy. We must also strengthen Africa’s voice and visibility,” he said.
Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, the President of the GJA, called for stronger measures to protect journalists and improve their welfare, stressing that a vibrant democracy depended on a strong and independent media.
He noted that journalists continued to face various forms of attacks in the line of duty and assured that the Association would continue to collaborate with the FAJ and other stakeholders to safeguard press freedom and promote the interests of media practitioners.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe