The GJA Election: A Monday That Feels Like Ghana’s Media Soul Is on the Ballot
I was sitting in a trotro last Friday, squished between a market woman with a basket of tomatoes and a guy blasting Shatta Wale through his earphones, when I overheard two passengers arguing about the Ghana Journalists Association election. “Dwumfour’s got the experience, but Mawusi’s got the fire,” one said, jabbing the air like he was making a point in a courtroom. The other just laughed, shaking his head, “Bro, it’s not about fire. It’s about who can actually protect journalists when the heat’s on.” I didn’t join in—mostly because I was trying not to get tomato juice on my jeans—but their argument stuck with me. It felt like more than just election talk. It felt like Ghana’s media, its voice, its heartbeat, was up for grabs this Monday, June 30, 2025.
I’m not a journalist myself, but I’ve got friends in the game, and let me tell you, it’s not all glamorous bylines and TV interviews. One of my buddies, Kofi, a reporter for a small outlet in Accra, told me over fufu last week how he got chased off a story about illegal mining because some big shot sent goons to “advise” him to back off. “I love this job,” he said, pounding the fufu like it personally offended him, “but sometimes I wonder if the GJA’s got our backs.” That’s the kind of raw, unfiltered worry I’m hearing from journalists lately. And it’s why this election feels like it’s carrying the weight of every pen, every mic, every late-night edit in Ghana.
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is holding its national and regional elections on Monday, and over 800 journalists—folks in good standing, as they say—are heading to the polls to pick who’ll lead them for the next three years. It’s not just about who gets to sit in the fancy chair or give speeches at the Ghana International Press Centre. It’s about who’s going to fight for journalists like Kofi when the threats roll in. Who’s going to make sure the media stays free in a country where, let’s be real, power sometimes likes to flex its muscles a bit too hard.
Take the presidential race. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, the current GJA president, is campaigning on continuity—protecting media freedom, securing journalists’ safety. Sounds solid, right? He’s been in the trenches, and earlier this year, he called out the Mahama-led government for what he said were seven assaults on journalists since they took office. That’s the kind of bold you want from a leader. But then there’s Dave Agbenu, editor at the Ghanaian Times, who’s coming in with promises of transparent leadership and serious cash for media development. Transparent leadership? I mean, who doesn’t want that? But I’m no expert, and I wonder—can you really fund media growth in a country where budgets are tighter than my trotro seat?
Then there’s the vice-presidential race, which feels like a rematch from three years ago. Mary Mensah from Daily Graphic and Rebecca Ekpe from GBC are going at it again. Rebecca’s been on JoyNews AM Show, talking about her vision for a “vibrant” GJA, with a big focus on journalists’ welfare. She’s got this infectious energy, like she’s ready to storm the barricades for her colleagues. Mary, on the other hand, brings her own heavyweight experience from Graphic. It’s like choosing between your favorite auntie who always has your back and the cool cousin who’s got big ideas. Tough call.
What’s got me thinking, though, is how this election isn’t just about names or positions. It’s about what journalism means in Ghana right now. I was scrolling through X at 2 a.m. the other night—don’t judge, we’ve all been there—and saw a post that hit hard: “GJA, Journalists Are Now Like 'Sleeping Dogs'.” Ouch. That’s not just shade; it’s a cry for a GJA that wakes up, that fights harder. Journalists are out here risking their necks to tell stories—galamsey, corruption, politics—and yet, some feel like their association’s been too quiet. Kofi told me about a colleague who got sued for defamation by a big company, and the GJA’s response felt like a polite memo rather than a battle cry.
The election’s got some cool tech vibes too. They’re rolling out biometric membership cards tied to the Ghana Card database to stop impersonation at the polls. Sounds fancy, like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s practical—making sure only the right people vote. Voting’s happening at six spots in Greater Accra, including Graphic Communications, GBC, and GNA. It’s a big deal, but I can’t help wondering if all this tech will translate to real change for journalists on the ground.
Here’s where I get a bit unsure, though. I’m no insider, but I’ve noticed something: journalists in Ghana don’t just need protection from physical threats. They need better pay, better training, maybe even a mental health fund for the stress of dodging goons and deadlines. Akwasi Agyeman, running for General Secretary, is talking about special awards for female journalists and stronger identity cards for members. That’s cool, but is it enough? Will it help someone like Kofi feel safer chasing a story in a galamsey pit?
I think back to that trotro argument. Those guys weren’t just debating candidates; they were debating hope. Hope that the GJA can be a shield, a megaphone, a lifeline for journalists who are, honestly, some of the bravest people I know. I could be wrong, but it feels like Monday’s election is less about who wins and more about whether the GJA can step up to be what Ghana’s journalists need—a voice that roars, not whispers.
So, as the polls open on Monday, I’m left wondering: will the new GJA leaders make journalists like Kofi feel like they’ve got a real ally? Or will it be more of the same—big promises, small results? What do you think—can an election like this really change the game for Ghana’s media, or are we just hoping for too much?
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