Sir Sam Jonah, the Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), delivered a powerful message to Ghanaian journalists during the launch of the Ghana Journalists Association’s (GJA) 75th anniversary in Accra.
He emphasized the crucial role journalists play in safeguarding Ghana’s democracy by speaking boldly on issues that threaten the very fabric of Ghanaian society.
In his keynote address, Sam Jonah urged media practitioners to embody objectivity, promote informed discourse, and be unwavering champions of freedom and truth. He expressed concerns about troubling trends in the national discourse and called for a renewed commitment to the principles championed by Ephraim Amu, especially in the current era where democratic values and social cohesion face significant tests.
The statesman highlighted disturbing developments in the national discourse, including the perceived weaponization of state agencies against opponents, the erosion of freedom of the press, lack of trust in the dispensation of justice, and the lack of accountability in protecting the public purse. Sam Jonah called on journalists to be fearless, courageous, and unwavering in their defense of the national interest.
He emphasized the importance of a free press in upholding democracy, quoting respected American journalist Walter Cronkite, who said, “Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.” Sam Jonah stressed the need for journalists to uphold the principles of good governance, justice, and accountability to shape Ghana’s future.
The GJA celebration, themed “75 Years of Excellence in Journalism: Honouring the Past, Encouraging the Present, shaping the Future“, serves as a reminder of the important role journalists have played in shaping Ghana’s history and the responsibility they hold in shaping its future.
