By Edward Acquah 

Accra, June 16, GNA – With less than two weeks to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) elections, aspirants for national and regional positions are actively touring newsrooms to solicit votes. 

Following a successful balloting exercise last Friday, 62 candidates have been cleared to contest various positions in the GJA for the next three years—13 at the national level and 49 across the regions. 

Key national positions being contested include President, Vice President, General Secretary, Organising Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Affairs Officer. 

The presidential race is a two-horse contest between incumbent Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, seeking a second term, and Charles Yao Mawusi, a communication specialist and media consultant. 

Mr. Dwumfour, elected in 2022, is campaigning on the theme of continuity.  

He said the GJA “has become very attractive” under his leadership, highlighting achievements such as the establishment of a support fund for journalists, hosting the 2024 Africa Media Convention in Ghana, and initiatives to ensure journalists’ safety. 

On the other hand, Mr. Mawusi is calling for change, promising to revamp the Association.  

He pledged that under his leadership, the GJA would focus on journalist welfare and tackle issues such as low remuneration, capacity building, and career development. 

The Vice President race is an all-female contest between Rebecca Ekpe, current Public Affairs Officer and GBC editor, and Mary Tawiah Mensah, Foreign Editor at the Daily Graphic and a former GJA Public Affairs Officer. 

For the General Secretary position, Dominic Hlordzi, the current Organising Secretary, is vying for promotion.  

He faces Akwasi Agyeman, who contested unsuccessfully in 2022. 

In a competitive race for Organising Secretary, Maxwell Kudekor, the GJA Eastern Regional Chairman, is contesting in Accra against Suleiman Mustapha, Acting Editor of Graphic Business. 

Another all-female contest is shaping up for Treasurer between Bertha Badu-Agyei of the Ghana News Agency and Theodora Amedetor of the GBC. 

For Public Affairs Officer, Ceasar Abagali of the Ghana News Agency is making a comeback bid after his previous loss, competing against Zadok Kwame Gyesi, formerly of Graphic Online. 

Founded in 1949, the GJA is the main professional body representing journalists in Ghana.  

Its mission includes promoting journalistic professionalism and standards, strengthening the media’s role in democracy and governance, and defending freedom of expression, media pluralism, and access to information. 

GNA 

Edited by Kenneth Sackey