Concerns are being raised about some suspicious moves by the leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to possibly rig the upcoming elections of new national and regional executives for the association this year.
Even though the leadership of the association has constituted an Election Committee about one and half months ago, nothing has been heard from the three-member committee chaired by Peter Martey Agbeko, a Public Relations and Media Consultant with Beatrice Asamani Savage, Director of Editorial at the Ghana News Agency (GNA), and Mr. Kwaku Owusu Peprah, Channel Manager of Joy News as members.
Article 43(b)(i) of the GJA Constitution 2004, mandates the committee to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.
Franklin Crown, a paid-up member of the GJA, says the loud silence on a clear roadmap towards the elections makes the process quite suspicious.
“No date. No roadmap. No words from the Election Committee. Just silence – and silence breeds suspicion. Suspicion of a rig job. A power grab. A backdoor plot to hijack the process—again—with help from the Electoral Commission”, he said in a statement issued today.
Referring to the GJA constitution, Mr. Crown said Article 46 (b) in Chapter 10 on Elections and Electoral Processes in the GJA Constitution states: “The Elections of the Association shall ordinarily be held two (2) months before the Annual General Meeting (AGM) within which the term of the Executive expires.”
“It is true that the Association’s Election Committee has been set up to conduct the polls, but they appear rather slow in setting a timetable for the event, and especially the date for the elections. That is all in the face of the AGM that failed to take place because a quorum was not attained, and a new date is yet to be set for a new AGM. Elections must happen within a set timeframe. That window is already closing—and guess who’s stalling? The same so-called reformers who once screamed “manipulation” are now engineering the very same playbook. Only this time, they’re the ones calling the shots”, the statement again said.
According to the statement, the GJA election should technically be held by June 24, 2025, the same date it took place three years ago.
“But so far, the Elections Committee is mute, and the national executive is deafeningly silent. That silence is fueling anxiety among potential contenders and their supporters. It’s also stirring up bitter memories of the 2022 polls—tainted by vote buying and electoral misconduct. This time, such rot will not be allowed. GJA members are alert—and watching with eagle eyes.”
The statement considers the delay as a ploy to deny possible interested members who may want to challenge some of the incumbent national and regional GJA executives in the election, thereby creating a way for them to contest unopposed.
“But here’s the truth: We Are. Watching. From our desks. Our phones. Our bedrooms. Eyes wide open. With their old political allies booted out, some executives are crawling toward the new power players—cozying up, cutting deals, whispering promises. The same people who once raged against collusion are now begging for it.”
“Let them try bringing in the EC. Let them dare involve National Security. This time, it won’t fly. We saw what you did last time—with help from the top. This time, we’re ready.”
The statement called the Election Committee act swiftly and be neutral, transparent and accountable, saying: “No delays. No tricks. No cooked results. Because if you rig it, we’ll expose it. If you silence voices, we’ll amplify them. If you hide, we’ll shine a light.
