Let Us Halt the Trend of Moral Decay Now- GJA President
The President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, has bemoaned the lack of commitment to arrest the decay of Ghana’s national fiber, resulting in a fast and alarming decline over the years.
He calls for urgent measures by all stakeholders to halt this trend, with a pledge to ensure the commitment of the media fraternity in Ghana to eliminate wrong practices within their fold and uphold the right moral attitude.
Mr. Dwufour said this at the two-day National Development Conference on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region.
He commended the Church of Pentecost for taking Godly steps towards the development of the country.
The two Day Conference was on the theme, “Moral Vision and National Development”.
According the GJA President, the historic initiative by the church would go down the annals of the country as one of the best initiatives that brought together captains of industries, politicians, Lawyers, and the media among others.
“Apostle Chairman, I wish to congratulate the Church of Pentecost for organizing the National Development Conference which brings together key stakeholders to discuss the moral vision and development of the country. This is a step in the right direction and clear proof that the Church is an institution that operates both in faith and action. Given the role the Church as an institution has played in national development over the years, it may not be out of order to acknowledge it as the Fifth Estate of the Realm, coming after the media whose credential in governance structure has long been established”, Mr. Dwufour added.
He described the theme for the conference as most appropriate considering the need to pursue a vigorous national development agenda and reshape the moral vision of the country.
“ We may not have empirical evidence, but we are fortified in discernment to firmly hold that the nation’s moral fabric is fast decaying and the consequence thereof is an erosion of national development. Corruption, indiscipline, impunity, disrespect, and greed have seized our moral consciousness. Certainly, we need a renewal of our moral awareness and vision as a nation”, he emphasized.
Mr Dwufour however assured COP and the entire nation that the media will play a positive role to help renew the moral vision of the nation and also promote national development adding that the media have been playing this role over the years as constitutionally mandated.
He therefore called on the media to rise to the challenge and be responsible in the discharge of their duties stressing that the media can do more and better.
Mr. Dwumfour who said he became the GJA President by discipline lined imbibed in him as a member of COP, later expressed worry over attacks on the media in discharging their constitutional mandate.
“The media will necessarily expose corruption and other ills of society. Such exposes are normally not palatable to the elements involved. But no matter how displeased anybody may be about the work of the media they cannot resolve their grievances through assault. Even in instances where the media get it wrong or do anything untoward, resorting to assault is not an option under the rule of law”, he intimated.
He again called on the Executive and the Legislature to condemn attacks on Journalists and called on the Judiciary to punish severely anti-media elements in the country.
Present at the Conference were the Vice President, Dr. Mahamud Bawumia, Chief Justice, Justice Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, the Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin, former President John Agyekum Kufour, former President John Dramani Mahama, among other high political figures.
The Vice President and former Presidents in their speeches commended COP and pledged their commitment to the realization of the theme of the Conference.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
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