Bagbin assures GJA of support for bill on journalists’ conditions of service

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has assured the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) of Parliament’s readiness to support the development of a private member’s bill to address the conditions of service of journalists and other media practitioners.

GJA President Albert Dwumfour disclosed this at the 30th GJA Media Awards in Accra, saying the assurance followed a recent engagement between the Speaker and the Association.

“During our recent engagement with the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Mr Speaker gave the association an important assurance of Parliament's readiness to partner the GJA in developing a private member's bill to address the conditions of service of journalists and media practitioners,” he said.

Mr Dwumfour described the assurance as a significant commitment towards improving the welfare and professional dignity of journalists.

He said the proposed legislation could provide a framework for addressing concerns about fair remuneration, job security, decent working conditions and the general welfare of media practitioners.

“We believe that the time has come for Ghana to move beyond periodic appeals to media owners and establish a more structured approach to protecting the economic interest and professional dignity of journalists,” he said.

The GJA President said poor remuneration, insecure employment, inadequate conditions of service, irregular salary payments and limited opportunities for professional development continued to undermine the welfare and independence of journalists.

He argued that the economic conditions of media practitioners had implications beyond the workplace, particularly for professional integrity and the media's role in holding institutions accountable.

“A journalist who struggles to meet basic needs is more vulnerable to undue influence and professional compromise. Improving journalist welfare is therefore not simply a labour issue. It is an investment in media independence, professional integrity and the quality of our democracy,” he said.

The GJA says it is prepared to work with Parliament, media owners, labour stakeholders and other relevant institutions to develop a practical and sustainable legislative framework.

The Association is looking to the Speaker's leadership to help translate the assurance into a legislative process.