Sir Sam Jonah, the Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has implored Ghanaian journalists to work towards safeguarding Ghana’s democracy by speaking boldly on issues that threaten the very fabric of Ghanaian society.
He urged media practitioners in Ghana to be models of objectivity, promoters of informed discourse, and unwavering champions of freedom and truth.
The statesman made the remarks in his keynote address at the launch of the Ghana Journalists Association’s (GJA) 75th anniversary in Accra on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Sam Jonah expressed concerns about troubling trends in the national discourse, urging a renewed commitment to the principles championed by Ephraim Amu, especially in the current era where democratic values and social cohesion face significant tests.
“In this era, where the essence of our democracy and the fabric of our society are tested, let us recommit ourselves to the principles that Ephraim Amu so eloquently espoused.
“I implore you to be the standard-bearers of objectivity, the architects of informed discourse, and the unyielding defenders of freedom and truth. In this regard, all of us have to be concerned about some disturbing developments in our national discourse.”
“The perceived weaponisation of state agencies against opponents, the creeping assault on freedom of the press, the perceived lack of trust in the dispensation of justice, and the pathetic lack of accountability in the protection of the public purse, this is the time for patriots to find their voices.
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“This is the time to be fearless and courageous. We cannot and must not compromise on our defence of the national interest. The success of our attempt at a democratic order will depend crucially on how free the press is. In the words of Walter Cronkite, a widely respected American journalist, ‘freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy!”
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Sam Jonah therefore called on the GJA to uphold the principles of good governance, justice, and accountability, stressing the importance of truth in shaping Ghana’s future.
The GJA celebration is on the theme: “75 Years of Excellence in Journalism: Honouring the Past, Encouraging the Present, shaping the Future”.