GJA National Treasurer Aspirant Pledges Enhanced Welfare System for Members

Accra: Mrs Bertha Badu-Agyei, a National Treasurer aspirant in the upcoming Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) elections, has pledged to implement a robust welfare system to improve the wellbeing of members, if elected. She promised to strengthen the association's membership framework by introducing regular publication of members in good standing and to improve the dues payment system to boost its financial strength.According to Ghana News Agency, speaking to voters during campaign engagements at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), the New Times Corporation, and the Graphic Communications Group, Mrs Badu-Agyei expressed concern over the current state of the Association's welfare scheme. She noted that delays in disbursing financial assistance, especially in times of bereavement, remained a major challenge for members. "When you lose a parent, you are entitled to some support. However, many members have not received any such assistance due to inefficiencies in the system," she said.Mrs Badu-Agyei em phasized the need for an enhanced welfare system, stating, "It must be done in such a way that once you are bereaved, what is due you will be given at the appropriate time. It should not be treated as a gift." She also raised concerns over the timing of the publication of members in good standing, which is often done only during election periods. "I think we need an enhanced membership register. At the end of each year, members should know whether they are in good standing or not," she said, adding that it should not only happen during elections.The treasurer aspirant further underscored the need to diversify the GJA's revenue base, stating that reliance solely on membership dues was unsustainable. "The only time the GJA gets substantial financial support is during the awards ceremony. That should not be the case," she said. Mrs Badu-Agyei proposed collaborations with institutions such as the Advertising Association of Ghana to use available space, such as the walls of the Press Centre, for advertisements t o generate additional revenue for the Association.Alhaji Salifu Abdul-Rahaman, the Acting Editor of the Ghanaian Times, who interacted with the aspirant, called for enhanced transparency in the administration of the GJA. He noted that members were often not given detailed accounts of the Association's financial expenditures during Congress or Annual General Meetings. "There are complaints from journalists. At Congress, they just announce we spent GHS100,000 on something without breakdowns. We speak about transparency and corruption in society, yet we have similar concerns within our own Association," Alhaji Abdul-Rahaman said.He emphasized the need for clear financial reporting, stating, "Just provide a simple explanation - we spent GHS100,000 on this or that - and members will be satisfied. We don't even have time to audit the books ourselves. We just want transparency." The GJA elections are scheduled to take place on Monday, June 30, 2025.