Samuel Dowuona (R) has backtracked on his support for the GJA President Albert Dwunfour

Veteran journalist, Samuel Nii Narku Dowuona, has thrown his full support behind the current President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Dwumfour, commending him for his strong and consistent defense of journalists’ rights.

Dowuona’s endorsement, according to campaigneronline.com, comes as a significant turnaround, given his initial resistance to Dwumfour’s leadership bid.

“I campaigned vehemently against the presidency of Albert Dwumfuor,” he admitted, revealing that he had instead backed Gayheart Edem Mensah during the GJA elections.

His earlier concerns stemmed from what he described as Dwumfour’s perceived close ties to the CEO of Tobinco, a businessman whose open endorsement raised fears of external influence over the association.

Despite this, he clarified that his opposition was never politically or tribally motivated, even though Dwumfour had supporters from across the political spectrum.

Now, reflecting on Dwumfour’s performance as GJA president, Dowuona says the reality has changed his perspective.

He describes Dwumfour as someone who has “proved to be one of the most vocal and biggest defenders of the rights of journalists in recent times.”

Taking aim at past leaders of the association, Dowuona criticised three former GJA presidents as “moderates and weaklings who kowtowed to the whims and caprices of the establishment at the expense of the rights of journalists.”

He recalled a time when he was attacked in the line of duty and received no support from the GJA leadership, which deepened his disillusionment.

Dwumfour, he noted, “changed that narrative in a very short time in office.”

He praised the GJA president for taking bold actions, including “open and effective boycotts on politicians for their roles in violence against journalists under the previous administration.”

He also highlighted Dwumfour’s courage in challenging the National Media Commission when necessary to protect journalists, likening his leadership to that of revered past presidents Edward Ameyibor, Kabral Blay Amihere, and Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie.

His admiration for Dwumfour, he added, further strengthened over his recent comments on “at least seven issues of violence against journalists” within just 50 days of the current administration taking office.

He argued that this consistent vigilance demonstrates the GJA president’s genuine concern, rather than any anti-government agenda.

“Why would any honest political leadership want a pro-establishment person to lead the fourth estate?” he questioned.

He called on fellow journalists to rally behind Dwumfour.

“Journalists should wise up, stand with a man who has stood with us, and not sold us to politicians,” he urged.

Dowuona cautioned that “politicians are always looking for moderates and weaklings they can control,” and urged the media community to reflect on whether they truly prefer such leadership over someone like Albert Dwumfour.

AS/AE

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