GJA takes on Kofi Akpaloo for describing association as 'toothless'

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has taken a swipe at the leader of the Liberal Peoples Party (LPG), Kofi Akpaloo for describing the Association as ‘weak’ and ‘toothless’.
The LPG founder in an interview with Kaakyire Ofori Ayim on Atinka AM Drive described the mother association of all Journalists in Ghana, GJA, as a ‘toothless’ for failing to regulate media houses and Journalists.
He said the inaction of the association contributed to the closure of some indigenous stations in Ghana.
To him, the GJA is not as vibrant as the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and other professional bodies.
According to him, failure of the GJA to regulate and make sure that Journalists and media houses abide by the necessary rules and regulations as well as code of ethics is part of the reasons why Journalists are not regarded in this country.
Radio stations operating without valid authorisations as determined by the 2017 FM Broadcasting Audit are being shut down with immediate effect by the National Communications Authority (NCA).
The stations affected included Radio Gold and XYZ both affiliated to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
GJA organizing secretary and Managing Director for Atinka Media Village, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, who was not pleased described the comment as ‘unguarded and unfortunate.’
According to him, there are bad nuts in every profession and Journalism is no an exception.
He added that the fact that some unscrupulous persons call themselves Journalists, who are affectionately called “paparazzis’, does not make the GJA a ‘toothless’ one.
“The GJA is never a loose profession…fake practitioners have been arrested in the same professions Kofi Akpaloo is comparing to GJA to…there are doctors practicing with fake licenses in Ghana… there are two types of Journalists, there are those doing it professionally without fear and panic and intimidation, and there are the paparazzis,” he said.
According to the media mogul, Ghana is a liberal country and people parade to be who they are not until the law catches up with them.
He stated that the GJA will, however, continue to clean the system and protect professional Journalists who execute their mandate and keep to the standards and ethics of the of the profession.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa