[ 2017-03-23 ]

President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Affail Monney.

GJA postpones election indefinitely over disputes
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has
postponed indefinitely its upcoming election
scheduled for March 31, 2017.

A statement signed by the Chairman of GJA’s
Elections Adjudication Committee (EDAC), Ben B.
Assorow, said they took the decision because they
have received petitions appealing against some of
the presidential nominees.

“In view of the appeals/petitions that have come
before the GJA 2017 Elections Adjudication
Committee (EDAC) and pursuant to Article 53 (v) of
the GJA Constitution of 2004, the Elections
Committee has postponed the elections scheduled
for 31st March 2017,” the statement added.

The Committee however said a new date will be
communicated as soon as the EDAC completes its
work.

“This follows the inability of EDAC to meet the
requirements imposed on it per Article 53 (iv)
which requires the Committee to ‘consider the
appeal and announce its decision to the parties
involved with a copy to the National Executive not
more than four working days after receiving the
appeal.’

“Article 53 (v) states: ‘In any situation
where strict adherence to the time for lodging an
objection, or an appeal may cause manifest
injustice, the Elections Committee may postpone
the election until the dispute has been finally
resolved,” the statement added.

Background

The incumbent GJA president, Affail Monney, is
facing stiff opposition from some contenders
including former President of the Institute of
Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ).

But Lloyd Evans was disqualified by the GJA
Election Committee on grounds that he did not
“pass the test as a member of the GJA in good
standing,” a decision he had appealed.


Similarly, Mr. Matthew Mac-Kwame, who filed for
the position of Vice President, also failed to
meet the requirements under Article 47 (b) (iii)
which states that “All members aspiring for
Executive positions at the National and Regional
levels must be members in good standing at least
ninety (90) days before elections.”

The Committee however cleared Mr. Johnnie Aryeetey
and Mr. Affail Monney for the election.

Meanwhile, there is also a petition from some
journalists who are challenging the authority of
the GJA led by Affail Monney to organize the
election. They contend that Mr. Monney and his
executives’ mandate expired as far back as March
2016.

Source - citifmonline.com

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