The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has disqualified seven candidates who have declared their intention to contest for various positions in the association.
Notable among them are Mr. Lloyd Evans, former Business Editor of the Daily Graphic and Mac- Kwame, a Lecturer. They were disqualified because they failed to meet the requirement under Article 47 (b) (iii) which states that "All members aspiring for executive positions at the National and Regional levels must be members in good standing, at least ninety (90) days before the election."
A statement release by Ben Assorow, election committee chairman said: "the records available to the committee indicate that Mr Evans paid his membership dues covering 2015 on 5th December 2016, and that for 2016 on 14th February, 2017. In view of these, Mr. Evans is also caught by the 90-day rule and therefore disqualified."
"Records available to the committee indicate that the 20th February 2017, Mr. Mac-Kwame had also not paid his membership dues for two years. In view of these, Mr. Mac-Kwame is caught by the 90-day rule and therefore disqualified."
The committee also noted that some of the candidates in the regions have also been disqualified for infringing upon the constitution of the association. They are Mr. Amponsah Moses Ohene (Tema), Mr. Zambaga Rufai Samini (Western Region), Mr. Ampem Darko-Koranteng (Eastern Region), Mr. Anthony Goode Jnr (Brong Ahafo), Mr, Kingsley Nana A. Buadu (Central Region), Mr. Jones Anlima (Volta Region) and Mr. Mac-Kwame Dagyenga (Eastern Region).
Meanwhile a renowned media consultant, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, is contesting the position of organizing Secretary in the upcoming Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) elections, slated for 31st March this year.
Dwumfour, a former General Manager of Atinka FM, is the only private journalist and media practitioner vying for a position in the upcoming elections, which have always been dominated by members of the state media since the formation of the association. He was among several candidates vetted on Monday, 13th March 2017 by the Elections Committee, chaired by Mr. Ben Assorow.
The media guru cum businessman believes that it is about time media persons in the private sector were given the chance to serve on the GJA. There is the perception that the GJA leadership has been dominated and fronted by the state media for far too long, and that many journalists working with the private media feel alienated.
Mr. Dwumfour, who has worked with several media house including The Independent Newspaper, freelance journalist with the Insight and Daily Guide, managing Editor of Ghanaian Analyst Newspaper and who has worked Atinka FM as the former General Manager as well as the Board Secretary of JAM Media Village, operators of Atinka FM in Accra, Agyenkwa FM in Kumasi, Ahotor FM in Takoradi and Atinka TV, believes that he has what it takes to make the GJA more vibrant and appealing when voted for as the organizing secretary.
Aside his vast media experience, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, popular known as Assase by his GIMPA mates and colleagues, believes he can use his wide connections as an entrepreneur and businessman to deepen the corporate relationship between the GJA and other entities.
He brings on board vibrant leadership,service with humility, and is also a team player. His core objective for this contest is to bridge the gap between the state and private media, by representing the voice of the private media, which is now dominating the media industry in Ghana.
He also brings on board his dynamic organizing skills where his passion lies most, rich media experience and experience from the world of business and entrepreneurs.
Kwabena Dwumfour is, however, committed to making the GJA more proactive and vibrant by helping create new programmes at the national and regional levels that will intend bring journalists across the length and breadth of this country together.
The former student leader of GIMPA and National union of Ghana Student (NUGS) is strongly making the case that eh private media must be allowed to serve on the GJA, to make it more inclusive and national n character.
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