GJA-GIJ VISITS GBC FOR INDUSTRIAL TRIP

The members of the Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana Institute of Journalism (GJA-GIJ) embarked on an industrial trip to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (G.B.C.) on February 6, 2014. As part of the activities ear-marked for the semester, The GJA-GIJ Chapter under the leadership of Hon. Flaubert Emmanuel Dekounde visited GBC. The members of the aforementioned were taken through the nooks and crannies of the premier broadcasting network, the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. They were taken to the various studios in the premises of the G.B.C. by Mr. Ernest McRoy, a staff. They were taken through the various types of light and lighting in the studio. That is where they got to know of the 2K, dress, and special lights. They were taken to the control room of the TV studio. From the perspective of the members who were present, especially after an expedition to the TV newsroom, there was a lot of excitement in the air. Unfortunately in life, everything that has a beginning definitely has an end. Sadly the trip had to come to a close, which was successful and considering the touch of putting our memories into photos it was a wonderful end but a beginning to another occasion to come as well as more successes to GJA-GIJ. GJA –COMMUNICATION WITH INTERGRITY.

A WORTHY START FOR THE SEMESTER

The much awaited commemoration of the founder’s day celebration with our iconic guest being the center of attraction finally arrived. The Ghana Journalist Association-Ghana Institute of Journalism Students’ Chapter has always made it a duty upon themselves to bring mentors closer to their mentees whenever the need arises. Such was one of these days, the 20th of September 2013 that Mr. Kwesi Pratt Junior the managing editor of the Insight Newspaper was invited over to the seminar room of the Ghana Institute of Journalism to give a speech on the theme “NKRUMAISM AND DEMOCRACY, THE WAY FORWARD?” The program commenced at 11:30am with the opening prayers by Wisdom Nana Hededzome a level 200 student, with the intention of inviting the Almighty God to grace us with His presence since the success of any endeavor depends on him.Romeo Adzah a level 200 student who also happens to be the present Chief Justice of the school’s SRC took students into a moment of deep thinking as he recited an African poem. The chairman of the occasion was to be introduced, the president of GJA-GIJ CHAPTER in the person of Emmanuel Flaubert Dekounde, did the honours. Mr. Kwesi Pratt Junior, the much anticipated iconic guest speaker was introduced by a bestowed student of the association who happens to have an interesting dramatic character, he is called Nana Osei. The program starting on this interesting note got all students’ attention on board. Not only students however were present, some lecturers of the institute including the Dean of students Mr. Frimpong Manson who was the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Kwadjo Ansong Boateng and the acting patron of the association Mr. Matthew MacKwame were present since gatherings of this nature had a piece of cake for everyone to send home. A lot needed to be said, to motivate,to teach,to awaken and encourage and interestingly students never got tired, they just wanted more and more, but unfortunately, time was not the best of friends since the program had to come to a close. Julius Kofi Satsi, the General Secretary of GJA-GIJ gave a gratifying vote of thanks after other lecturers had also taken their seizures to speak to students.

The program gradually came down to the moment of mingling and sharing of thirst-quenchers and amusement, photographs were also taken, since students were not ready to risk losing memories like this as curtains were drawn down to end the program. For most people,this was a good start for the semester en route the realization of the goal of becoming good communicators.Have you commenced the semester on a good note? Watch out as GJA-GIJ CHAPTER has additional goodies for all of us students of this amazing institution for consumption, for the Level 100 students, welcome on board the train of GJA-GIJ CHAPTER. BY:Diesob Ansah K. Cecilia(PRO)

A CROSS-SECTION OF STUDENTS LISTENING TO THE LECTURE

FOUNDER'S DAY - FLASHBACKS. These memories will remain with us.(with KWESI PRATT JUNIOR)

GJA-GIJ FORUM ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY WITH GIFTY ANTI.

“THE PRACTICE OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISM IN GHANA – THE EXPECTATION OF THE STUDENT JOURNALIST” A SHORT PRESENTATION AT THE GENERAL MEETING OF GJA-GIJ

Mr. Chairman and all in here gathered, I acknowledge you.
It is not by mere coincidence that I find myself before you this afternoon at the behest of my president. I am saying this because to you who are about to expire on your preset period of academic exploration in this distinguished premier journalism institution, not only in Ghana but the continent at large, an opportunity to be part of such a gathering is simply inextricably vital. This moment of your stay on campus, I reckon, is extremely crucial to you and to the entire nation because you are about to be assessed on both the theoretical and practical knowledge that you have acquired over the last two years. And, as you head for the job market, you need some vital information to aid your wrap up here and to prepare you for the outside world, and such information is best received from those who matter and I am here to attempt to do just that. And, I must say it is a privilege and pleasure in a purposeful sense to speak to you today. I hope you have already accepted me.
I should mince no words in congratulating you for choosing to train as professional journalists in this highly esteemed institution regardless of the strenuous and pressuring periods you had to endure in pursuit of academic excellence while here. Your choice of Ghana institute of Journalism and the privilege done you by the school to become part of the great family of journalists in Ghana is profoundly unblemished. There awaits you the utmost prize of success which can only come your way by dent of seriousness, hard work and perseverance. I am certain you shall overcome soonest. I believe that you have been greatly stretched and squeezed and almost getting withered but one thing is for sure, you must not look back at the past circumstances, rather, focus on the task ahead of you as this is the only way you can make the distinctive mark you have been dreaming of all these years.
The knowledge you have acquired in GIJ is beyond compare and this presents you enormous array of opportunities in the job market if you could identify and readily avail yourselves to them. Only few of the numerous journalism institutions, now mushrooming all over the place, offer similar courses to what pertains here and even those who seem to be at arms’ length with us in this direction are tutored mostly and in parts by our (GIJ) highly knowledgeable and illustrious lecturers. Furthermore, the courses here offered are tailored towards the needs of the people thus, very relevant to the development of the nation. My only worry is that after fifty plus one years of existence, this school, which has produced such greats in this profession, continues to grow leaps and bounds in glory and in stature but not in structure. This has made it almost impossible for equally qualified colleagues of yours to wander into uncharted territories all in attempts to become journalists. Failure on the part of GIJ to expand in structure in the shortest possible time will mean a proliferation of quack journalists and this will be chaotic and disastrous to our democratic advancement.
Mr. Chairman, some developments in the media front in the past decade, in my opinion, have been occasionally exceptionally commendable but generally unsatisfactory. To mention just a few positive developments, is when the first black president of the United States of America, Barak Obama, in his address to the parliament of Ghana in Accra, and indeed, the whole world, on his first ever visit to Africa since assuming office, commended the ace Investigative Journalist, Anas Arimeyaw Anas of the New Crusading Guide for his role in exposing rots in the system which were inimical to the advancement of the people of Ghana. The mention can also be made of Loretta Vandapuije of Ghana Television and Israel Laryea of Joy FM for their respective awards at the CNN Multi Choice Africa Journalist of the Year Award. The exploits of the likes of Komla Dumor and Kofi Abokyie both formerly of Joy FM now with BBC and VOA respectively, cannot be in any way overlooked. These two individuals admittedly, contributed their quota to the positive developments in the Ghanaian media front in the past decade. However, my disappointment and dissatisfaction has been with the few partisan politically motivated journalists who for political expediency have negated the principles and ethics of the profession and become inextricable “bedfellows” of politicians. I am not against those who claim fought for the liberalization of the airwaves, nor against those who masterminded the repeal of the criminal libel law but the deeds of some of them whose open bias for one party or the other keep dividing our front politically, and, this is precarious. I have always maintained that freedom of speech and the liberty to publish “anything” are very significant ingredients to the sweet taste of the soup of democracy but could also be the vinegar to make it bitter depending on their usage. I am sure you received the news of a particular senior political journalist who explicitly and unashamedly informed the entire country and the world at large of his regrets in publishing falsehood against the then candidate and now president of the Republic of Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills. Is this not what you are taught not to do? Sadly, these individual journalists undoubtedly are role models to some of us. So, are we really concern about some of these developments and what can we do to correct them?
Mr. Chairman, and my soon to be fellows of the great uncompromising profession, it is regrettable to note that the media landscape, particularly the electronic media (radio and television), is under siege by our friends from other unrelated institutions who through the “whom you know” approach and courtesy our own (GIJ) short courses are competing vehemently with us for places in the already crowded few media houses in Ghana. If you think I am just been garrulous, wait till you attempt to penetrate the sector. The situation is so calamitous that I cannot fathom and guarantee how your future in the industry is going to be if you do not put in much more efforts. Permit me also, my friends, to express my displeasure at the preponderance mediocre, naive and unethical attitudes of some newsreaders, anchors and presenters who flout the principles of journalism with shameless impunity, even some of those I am referring to might have been trained by this school. Some presenters, particularly of political programmes, do not check their facts and do not present facts, hence, allowing their guests to twist and turn them they way they desire. This is bad and sad. Not to talk of anchors who just read what is before them but do nothing close to anchoring and who again lack the voice and skill to do correct pronunciations. The airwaves and the screens have now become the main point of practice for most readers and anchors. The ambiguity and other like grammatical errors in news contents leaves much to be desired and I do often ask myself that is it just the case of “chew pour pass and forget?” Some programme hosts, I have observed, either fail to ask the right and accurate questions or simply lack the interviewing skill to perform such tasks. Not to talk of programming, time will certainly not be our best ally if I begin to go there. It is equally bad and sad. At times I ponder in almost despondency from the unyielding reconciliation of my mind the fact whether we are in the age of professionalism or “probationalism”. I cannot pretend to be the saviour of this appalling situation, though I can help in my small way, but as a pragmatist, I believe in the motto by Donewell Insurance that “if it must be done, it must be done well “. I am nonetheless, delighted about some recent developments in some media houses such as Joy FM, Citi FM and as well, Metro TV, with regards to their news content. Permit me once more, my friends, to blow my trumpet a bit. The observation I made, while on campus, about the difficulty in getting engaged in the newsroom, the heart of every news media, prompted me to write a proposal to some selected media houses requesting them to engage our (GJA/GIJ) members on a “Weekend Attachment Programme”. Out of the lots we wrote to, only TV3 responded positively in June last year paving the way for some of you to gain practical experience. But I am now been told that the effort by my predecessor (President Sanda) to maintain the programme is facing a serious challenge in its survival.
My would-be colleagues, let me advise that as you prepare to join us for survival in this industry, be here now informed that the old adage still persist for you, that only the fittest shall survive. Your fitness, in this matter, depends on two things. First, I recall the Deputy Rector and my one time Public Relations lecturer, Mr. Batse’s exhortation to us while we were in our first year in this school that “do not pass through this school but let the school pass through you”. Second, as I told my friends I first began interactions with when I enrolled here in GIJ, that “know where you are now, where you are going from here, and what is supposed to be at where you going which is not there that you are taking there?” - And here, I must say, you’ve really got to be innovative minded. If you can answer this puzzle positively, certainly sure, you are a star journalist already. My friends, notwithstanding the challenges many young and prospective professionals face in the industry, some of which I have already shared with you, I would encourage you to be conscious of the fact that there abounds a myriad of opportunities which you have to first identify and then avail yourself to them. Your professional background in journalism, as per the courses taught in this school, alone should serve you the impetus to make giant strides in your chosen profession. The Integrated Communication courses - Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising – are a huge incentive to your success in journalism than you are perhaps dreaming about. You should begin, now and seriously, to think of what different thing you can do in the industry to cause such an impact to merit the desired plaudits - in Online Journalism, the Prints and the Broadcast sectors – the opportunities are just there for your taking. All it takes to achieve this much is for you to be innovative in mind and in your approach.

Mr. Chairman and soon to be fully fledged professional journalists, in concluding my message to you this afternoon, allow me the space and time to show gratitude to those who founded this association, my predecessors here seated and you listening to me for keeping faith with GJA/GIJ and ensuring its growth and sustenance. I also thank the national executive for endorsing this association but I must admit I have never been satisfied with their operations, particularly with this pioneer students’ chapter of any journalism association in at least West Africa. Let me assure you that soon we will be witnessing more positive developments in our chosen career. To give you a gist of what to expect, I together with other friends in the profession are teaming up to establish a movement to cause a positive change in the media front and I hope you will not hesitate to come on board when the time beckons.
Well done comrades! And, may the good God and Allah bless you in your endeavours now and in the future.
Thank you.

………………………..
6th May, 2010

OKUNYIN BOAZ-ORLAN HACKMAN- WRITER

HANDING-OVER ADDRESS -2010

GHANA JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION
GHANA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM STUDENTS’ CHAPTER
4TH EXECUTIVE HANDING- OVER COCKTAIL PARTY AND LAUNCH OF FIRST STUDENT CHAPTER CONSTITUTION
SPEECH DELIVERED BY 2009/2010 OUT-GOING PRESIDENT, UMARU SANDA AMADU
DATE: 12th June, 2010 VENUE: Ghana International Press Center, Accra TIME: 6pm

Mr. Chairman, Patron and National Organizer of the Ghana Journalists Association, Dean of Students of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, Lecturers of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, Senior Brothers and Sisters in the media, President of the Students’ Representative Council of GIJ, President of the Ghana Muslim Students Association of GIJ, President of the Campus Christian Family of GIJ, Colleagues from AUCC, Vice president of the GJA-GIJ and all other Executives, Colleagues from the Ghana Institute of Journalism, Distinguished Invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is an unavoidable fact that, all leaders shall be called to account so it is not out of place that, I am doing same tonight having led this noble professional Association since June 2009.

I knew it was a herculean task assigned me when I took the oath of office on the evening of Saturday 20th June 2009 at this same venue but I was ever ready for it.
This Association went through tremendous successes and some failures as characterized by any institution but I am proud to say our successes clearly drowned the failures.

Mr. Chairman, the single most important success chalked by this administration for me is that, for the first time in the four years of the existence of this Association, there is a legal document drawn to serve as a guide to executives and members in the day to day running of the Association.

It is sad to note that, the Association could not open a bank account due to the lack of a Constitution leading to its inability to transact some financial businesses. It is my fervent hope therefore that with the launch of the Association’s constitution today, all these challenges will be addressed.

I am pleased to announce also that, a Constitution is not the only new thing we introduced to the association. The GJA-GIJ is closely following in the Digital growth as a new blog address and an E-mail address have been opened to aid in the secretarial and publicity activities of the association and we are almost close to getting a highly patronized Facebook Fan Page all with intentions at publicizing our activities and relaying information to members.

Mr. Chairman, with the foresight of our predecessors, the support of TV3 Network Limited and the able supervision of this administration, twenty-four (24) members of the association were given full practical training in the gathering and distribution of television news over a period of six months.

This has come in handy as a supplement to what is taught in the classroom for members. I will like to use this opportunity to urge all other media houses to hasten in their effort to respond to our request in the Week-End attachment program for our members.

Mr. Chairman, members of this association have not been left out of the going ons of the world either. During the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change, the association organized a replica forum on the campus of the Ghana Institute of Journalism addressed by no mean a person than the country’s leading anti-climate crusader, Dr. Doris Yaa Dartey.

We also collaborated with the Yaa Asantewa Hall of the GIJ to organize a forum on the Oil Exploits of Ghana addressed by some energy expects including the founder and leader of the United Renaissance Party, Chuck Kofi Wayo on the role journalists can play in checking corruption from that new area of the economy.

Mr. Chairman, we also organized student journalists’ enlightment and empowerment programs on what the practicalities involve addressed by our patron and head of the Broadcast Journalism Department of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, Mr. Tim Quashigah and Henry Herbert Malm, a broadcast journalist with TV3.

A visit to the Daily Graphic’s publishing facilities for familiarization with the Print News media was a significant one to help members appreciate the art and act of processing news.

Mr. Chairman, we do not intend to under estimate the saying that,”ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY“so we took time off the busy GIJ academic and lecture schedules to embark on a 2-day TOUR OF THE YEAR to Nzulezu in the Western Region in collaboration with the Mandela and Osagyefo Halls to have a little retreat and take some breather as we enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

Tonight’s Cocktail Party was strategically placed to coincide with the end of the two or four sweaty-hectic years of GIJ serving as a reprieve to students who will soon join their senior brothers and sisters in the chaotic and hectic times of journalism practice.

Our various refreshing packages have seen a tremendous increase in our membership which was manifested in the recent General Elections held with a record of 160 voter turnout.

CHALLENGES

Mr. Chairman, as no man is infallible, even so is no institution flawless and this is not alien to the GJA-GIJ. We are still faced with some challenges we have not been able to fully tackle.

A case in point is the lack of membership identity cards which really is no fault of ours but our mother association who is not helping matters in the provision of those IDs for close to three years since we sent members application forms to the national headquarters.

Our monthly dues of 1 cedi have not been helpful in raising funds so plans are in place with the management of the Institute to tax members as part of their semester school fees.

The lack of an established secretariat from where the affairs of the only students’ chapter of the GJA is run is a problem we are faced with. It is sad to note that, not even with the Fund Raising Dinner organized by our predecessors could materialize a secretariat for us. This is a serious challenge as the executives have to consistently operate from a mobile office. It is my fervent hope that our request for support from MTN towards that project will come out with some success.
On this note, Mr. Chairman, I wish to congratulate the elected officers for the opportunity but I must caution that, it is not all rosy as it seems.

I remember at the executive meeting to plan the hand-over ceremony, I indicated that we hand over on campus like all other associations and be free to prepare for our examinations. It was then that someone drew my attention to the fact that, A STANDARD HAS BEEN SET and we are bound to break it or maintain it. We decided to break it and we have. So Mr. President, this is my advice to you: A STANDARD HAS BEEN SET and you are bound to go by it for the GJA is no mean an Association.

I wish you well.

On this note, I would like to acknowledge the support of our major sponsors Accra Brewery Limited who have proven over the years that they are a dependable partner.

I will not forget my executives namely, vice president Mr. Edward Kwabi, General Secretary Mary Awudi, Financial Secretary Aduwaa Graham, Treasurer Rita Arthur and the three able program coordinators, Regina Asamoah, George Korang and Elizabeth Boafo.

To all of you here gathered in support of this association, I will like to say in my mother tongue Fulani, Forfor morn mi yeti, In Hausa I say Mungoode, In Twi I say Yerdamuasi, In Ga I say Nyeyiwaladooh, In Ewe I say Akpenami, In Dangme I say Nye tsu wor and in English I say, Thank you and God Bless you all.

Long Live the Ghana Journalists Association

And Long Live Press Freedom.