By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Information, has assured executives and members of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) of its fullest cooperation and support for the hosting of the Third African Media Convention.
According to the Ministry, it is ready to offer all the needed support and assistance to the Inky Association to host a successful and memorable event come May 2024.
The assurance was given at a press conference held at the International Press Center (GIPC) on Tuesday, May, 23, 2023.
Addressing the media on behalf of the Minister of Information, the Head of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation- Information Ministry, Mr. Mawuli Segbefia, entreated the national executives and other stakeholders to put in their best through the preparation process to the final laps to ensure that the third edition of the African Media Convention (AMC) hosted by the GJA leaves a lasting impression on the whole world.
Explaining the rationale behind the AMC, the President of GJA, Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, said the convention was a moment of reflection by African media stakeholders on the revolving trends that impede freedom of expression and freedom of the media, media viability and sustainability, as well as the safety and security of journalists.
The Convention brings together media experts, scholars, students, journalists, journalists’ unions and associations, editors, public and private sectors, and cooperating partners from around the African continent and beyond, as well as representatives from UNESCO and the African Union Commission. He added.
According to him, the GJA will be the first journalists’ association or union to host this event, noting that the first convention was hosted by the East African Editors’ Forum in Arusha, Tanzania, and the second edition of the convention was hosted by the Southern Africa Editors’ Forum (SAEF) in Lusaka, Zambia.
Mr. Dwumfour announced that GJA will be 75years next year and the hosting of the convention will coincide with the 75th anniversary of the GJA and also mark the 60th anniversary of the AU. Nothing gets better than this; we are excited.
The African Media Convention is currently the largest gathering of media stakeholders and policymakers on the continent.
The Convention, an initiative of The African Editors’ Forum (TAEF) is designed to safeguard the hard-won media freedoms and safety of journalists on the continent. The maiden edition of the convention was held in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2022.
