GJA’s Exclusive Club: A Betrayal of Journalistic Unity

GJA President Albert K. Dwumfour

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is supposed to be the foremost body representing the interests of journalists in Ghana. Founded with the noble purpose of promoting journalistic excellence and safeguarding press freedom, the association should ideally serve as a unifying force that champions the professional development of journalists. However, in recent years, the GJA has been reluctant to expand its membership, creating an exclusionary environment that undermines the very ideals it claims to uphold. This reluctance raises troubling questions about the motives of the association’s leadership and the broader implications for journalism in Ghana. The GJA’s continued resistance to inclusivity not only weakens the profession within the country but also diminishes the global standing of Ghanaian journalists.

The Hypocrisy of an Exclusive GJA
A professional body should be dedicated to strengthening its industry by embracing as many qualified individuals as possible. Yet, the GJA operates with a perplexing exclusivity, appearing more like a closed society than a representative association. The criteria for membership, the sluggish vetting process, and the general lack of transparency in admission policies suggest that the association’s leadership is more interested in maintaining a controlled, elite club rather than fostering an open and diverse community of journalists. This gatekeeping is particularly egregious in a media landscape where many journalists operate without the necessary institutional support. Instead of welcoming these professionals into its fold and equipping them with the tools to thrive, the GJA has created barriers that exclude them from essential resources, professional development opportunities and protections.

The Benefits of Expanding GJA Membership

By broadening its membership, the GJA stands to gain significantly in many key areas:

Enhanced Professional Standards: A larger membership base allows for greater diversity in journalistic expertise, experience and perspectives. New members bring fresh insights and innovative ideas, which can contribute to higher standards of journalism in the country. The more journalists the GJA includes, the more influence it has over setting ethical and professional standards across the industry.

Strengthened Advocacy for Journalists’ Rights: One of the primary responsibilities of the GJA is to defend journalists against oppression, threats and injustices. However, a restrictive membership policy weakens this advocacy. If the association genuinely seeks to protect journalists, it must acknowledge that excluding many practicing professionals makes the industry more vulnerable to attacks. A larger, united body of journalists would give the GJA greater leverage when engaging with government bodies, media houses, and international organizations to safeguard press freedom and labour rights.

Increased Financial and Institutional Support: A more inclusive GJA would naturally lead to an increase in membership dues, which could be reinvested into programmes that benefit journalists, such as training workshops, legal assistance and welfare schemes. Furthermore, a more inclusive association would attract greater support from international journalism organizations, NGOs and media development institutions that prioritize broad-based, inclusive media associations.

Improved Global Recognition and Collaboration: The media landscape has become increasingly globalized, with journalists collaborating across borders to cover major stories. A GJA that embraces more members would have a stronger voice on the international stage, making it easier for Ghanaian journalists to access global opportunities such as fellowships, training programmes and cross-border investigations. The reluctance to expand membership, however, isolates Ghanaian journalists and limits their ability to engage with the global press community.

The Consequences of GJA’s Exclusionary Approach

While the benefits of expanding membership are clear, the negative consequences of the GJA’s exclusivity are equally evident. By keeping a significant portion of practicing journalists outside its ranks, the association is inadvertently weakening the profession and creating long-term disadvantages for Ghanaian journalism.

Erosion of Press Freedom and Media Independence: A divided journalism community is easier to manipulate. If the GJA only represents a select group of journalists, it loses its legitimacy as the defender of press freedom. Those excluded from the association may lack the necessary institutional backing to resist political pressure or corporate interference, thereby making the profession more susceptible to external control. An inclusive association would serve as a stronger bulwark against such threats.

Undermining Professional Development: Journalists outside the GJA do not have access to the same professional training and development opportunities as members. This creates a two-tier system where only those within the association benefit from workshops, networking events and international collaborations. The result is a profession where many journalists are left to navigate challenges on their own, without the institutional support needed to refine their skills and advance in their careers.

Loss of Credibility and Public Trust: The GJA’s exclusivity damages its credibility. When an association claims to represent journalists but actively excludes many professionals from its membership, it loses the moral authority to speak on behalf of the industry. This lack of credibility weakens the GJA’s influence in negotiations with policymakers, media owners and international bodies, ultimately diminishing its ability to advocate effectively for journalists.

Missed Opportunities for Young and Emerging Journalists: Ghana has a vibrant young journalist community eager to contribute to the profession. However, the GJA’s restrictive policies create an unnecessary barrier for emerging journalists who wish to join and grow within the profession. Instead of nurturing these young talents, the association’s reluctance to accept more members stifles their development and discourages many from seeing journalism as a viable long-term career.

The Path Forward
The GJA must urgently reconsider its approach to membership if it truly wants to be a representative body that serves the interests of all journalists in Ghana. Many key reforms are necessary to ensure inclusivity and growth:

Transparent and Inclusive Membership Criteria: The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) must establish well-defined, publicly available membership criteria to ensure fairness and objectivity in the admission process. Clear guidelines will help eliminate ambiguity, making it easier for practicing journalists to understand the requirements for joining. Moreover, the application process should be efficient, minimizing unnecessary bureaucratic delays and ensuring that all qualified journalists can join without undue obstacles.

Engagement with Independent and Freelance Journalists: A significant number of journalists in Ghana work independently or as freelancers, often without the institutional support that traditional media houses provide. The GJA should create dedicated strategies to integrate these professionals, offering them access to training, networking opportunities, legal protections and advocacy. Recognizing their contributions and addressing their unique challenges will strengthen the association’s representation of the entire journalism community.

Decentralized Membership Drive: The GJA must move beyond an Accra-centric approach by launching a nationwide membership drive. Establishing regional chapters or organizing outreach programs in different parts of the country will encourage journalists from all regions to join, ensuring broader representation. A decentralized strategy will help rural and regional journalists feel equally valued and engaged in the association’s activities.

Youth Inclusion and Mentorship Programmes: To secure the future of journalism in Ghana, the GJA must actively involve young and aspiring journalists in its activities. By introducing structured mentorship programmes, workshops and career development initiatives, the association can nurture young talents and provide them with a clear pathway into the profession. Encouraging student journalists and recent graduates to participate will help sustain the industry with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.

Conclusion
The GJA’s reluctance to accept more practicing journalists into its ranks is not just an internal issue; it is a major setback for journalism in Ghana. By excluding many professionals, the association weakens the collective strength of journalists, undermines press freedom and limits the country’s influence on the global media stage. It is imperative that the GJA embraces a more inclusive approach, allowing all qualified journalists to join and benefit from its resources and advocacy. Only by doing so can it truly fulfill its mission of promoting journalistic excellence and defending the rights of journalists in Ghana. The time for reform is now.

The writer is a journalist, columnist specializing in international affairs, and a journalism lecturer with a PhD in Journalism. Contact: [email protected].