The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) says it is collaborating with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to embark on a sensitisation programme to educate its members towards implementing its unionisation plan.
The programme, which is part of the unionisaton process, is to inform journalists, especially members of the association, on the modalities for being a unionised member of the GJA.
According to the GJA President, Mr. Roland Affail Monney, the GJA and the TUC would this week begin rolling out sensitisation workshops for journalists across the country.
On September 22, last year, the GJA was issued a bargaining certificate by the TUC to become a unionised body.
The leadership of the association has since been working out the modalities for the implementation of the unionised status, amidst criticisms that some of the media organisations already belong to unions.
But Mr Monney believes the modalities would be well understood during the nationwide sensitisation workshop.
“The workshop, amongst other programmes, would be held throughout the country to ensure that every journalist in the country is sensitised on the benefits and protection the union offers,” he stressed.
Mr. Monney stated that “the move to unionise journalists was a result of two major factors which are a three year deadline by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) to unionise journalists in the country and the many complaints by journalists about their working conditions”.
“Next week, he stated, would be the action week where hopefully with the go ahead from the TUC, we would begin the workshop for journalists”.
With respect to membership, Mr. Monney said that “the union accepts applications from all journalists both those in private and government employment.”
According to him journalists can only be part of the union if they are members of the GJA and are in good standing.
He advised all prospective members to be informed by the GJA Constitution before applying.
Mr. Monney urged all journalists in the country to apply to become members of the association so as to enjoy the full benefits that the union offers.
“It is my hope that through this union the welfare of all journalists would be improved and this would enhance their productivity and effectiveness at work,” he added.
By: Fred Gadese-Mensah/adrdaily.com
