75th GJA Celebration: Journalists charged to uphold values of their profession

Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Sam E. Jonah, has urged journalists nationwide to preserve the standards of their profession in order to keep Ghana’s bright future alive.

He was speaking at the launch of the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Accra on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

According to him, journalism is a profession that demands integrity, stating that Ghana’s stability depends on the media.

“The stability of the fourth republic depends heavily on your resolve to maintain the sanctity of your profession and your independence as the fourth estate. As we celebrate this landmark anniversary, let it be a call to all journalists to rise to the occasion to uphold the values that have defined your noble profession and to hopefully, continue to be the beacon of hope and accountability our nation needs,” he said.

He also reminded journalists not to forget the sacrifices of those who came before them and asked that they did the work with utmost responsibility.

“Your role as a fourth estate is a cornerstone of our democracy and your duty to hold power to account has never been even more critical. Indeed, the influence you wield is powerful, with the ability to frame political discourse and influence public opinion, making it imperative that this power is exercised with the utmost responsibility and ethical rigor,” he stressed.

“As we move forward, let us remember the sacrifices made by those who came before us. Journalists who laid down their lives for the pursuit of truth and justice. It is upon their legacy that the future of Ghanaian journalism will be built. A future where truth prevails over sensationalism, integrity over corruption and where the pen remains mightier than the sword in the fight for democratic integrity and national unity.

“Let us recommit ourselves to these ideals as we face the challenges ahead, ensuring that our action today, will honour those who have sacrificed so much and inspired future generations to carry the torch of truthful, responsible journalism.”

He added “It is worthy of note that journalism, while it may propel diligent investigators, analysts and writers, is not a profession for the lily-livered, the deceitful nor the greedy. Through fair and foul weather, the journalist must be willing and able to tell the truth to the people.”