The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Central Regional branch, has held its maiden media engagement dubbed “Press and Chills,” an initiative aimed at fostering unity, enhancing professional efficiency, and promoting the welfare of journalists across the region.
The event brought together media practitioners, media owners, traditional leaders, academics, development partners, and policymakers in a collaborative atmosphere focused on building a more resilient and ethical media landscape in the Central Region.
Speaking at the engagement, the Central Regional Chairman of the GJA, Kingsley Nana Buadu, urged journalists to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. He emphasized the importance of personal security and safety, reminding practitioners that their wellbeing is essential to sustaining a vibrant and independent media environment.
Mr. Buadu also called on media owners to prioritize the welfare of journalists, stressing that fair treatment and support should not be based solely on academic qualifications, but on the critical role journalists play in national development.
A lecturer at the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Cape Coast, Mercelinus Dery, encouraged practitioners to continuously upgrade their skills to remain relevant in an evolving industry. He highlighted several short courses being offered by the department and urged journalists to take advantage of these opportunities to sharpen their competencies.
Capacity-building efforts were further reinforced by Charles Smith of the Earth Journalism Network (EJN), who informed participants about numerous opportunities available through the network to strengthen journalistic capacity. He encouraged journalists to actively pursue these opportunities to enhance their reporting impact, particularly in specialized fields.
On her part, Nicholina Naa Yeye Adumuah, Central Regional Head of the National Insurance Commission, commended media partners for using their platforms to educate the public on insurance matters. She announced plans to introduce insurance packages tailored for journalists in the region to enhance their security and improve service delivery.
The Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, expressed appreciation to journalists for their contributions to the development of the region. He urged practitioners to remain diligent in their work while minimizing partisan influences that risk labeling journalists along political lines, particularly between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He stressed that investigative journalism and constructive agenda-setting in the interest of regional development must remain central to media practice.
The “Press and Chills” initiative marks a significant step toward fostering solidarity, enhancing capacity, and promoting journalist welfare in the Central Region, while reaffirming the media’s critical role in accountability and sustainable development.
The event concluded with the official unveiling of a newly ultra-modern office, symbolizing a renewed commitment to impactful and responsible journalism in the region.
