He said he was hopeful the Association in the next few years will contribute to the growth of a “vibrant and critical media.”

In a statement issued on Monday, October 02, 2017, Akufo-Addo also commended the losing aspirants for conceding defeat.

“I extend warm congratulations to the entire membership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) for the successful conduct of their elections of Friday, 29th September, 2017, which saw the selection of executives to steer the affairs of the Association for the next four years.”

“I congratulate Affail Monney on his decisive re-election as President of the GJA; Linda Asante Agyei as Vice President; Edmund Kofi Yeboah as General Secretary; Mary Mensah in-charge of Public Affairs; and Albert Tuffuor as Organising Secretary. The losing aspirants are also to be commended for graciously conceding defeat,” he statement said.

“It is my hope that the Ghana Journalists Association and its leadership, over the next four years, will continue to contribute to the growth of a vibrant and critical media that has won Ghana the reputation of having one of the most media friendly and liberal climates on the continent, and also to the enhancement of public accountability as a strategic goal of public policy,” Akufo-Addo added.

Affail Money retained his seat as President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), after a landslide victory in polls held on Friday.

Despite expectations of a stiff competition from Lloyd Evans and Johnny Aryeetey, both managed to share less than half of the total valid votes cast.

Mr. Monney garnered 310 of the 510 valid votes cast.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nana Addo congratulates Affail Monney on GJA election victory appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Association’s President, Roland Affail Monney, intimated that the NCA was essentially hounding some of the affected companies out of business.

34 of the sanctioned stations had their licenses revoked because their authorizations had expired and were operating illegally.

Other affected stations have been fined and given 30 days to settle their indebtedness. Radio Gold and Atlantis Radio picked up the heftiest fines with GHc 61,330,000 and GHc 60,350,000 respectively.

In all, the fines build up about GHc1.18 billion for stations cutting across all regions of the country.

The sanctions have been criticized as being too harsh by the Minority in Parliament, claiming that they amount to an attempt to monetize freedom of expression.

Mr. Monney, who was speaking a day after he was re-elected at the GJA elections on The Big Issue, said dealing with the NCA’s sanctions was “one major assignment our new administration is going to tackle with urgent promptitude.”

“… we have a responsibility to rally to the defense of our members and even non-members when they find themselves in such unfortunate situations.”

In this regard, the GJA is speaking with lawyers and a legal team “to put out a proposal and defense to help address this issue so we have agreed that by Monday, we’ll make our voice heard on this matter.”

“We are against any attempt to hound any media house or any media practitioner out of operations through the imposition of fines or any other means. It is something we frown upon and something we shall resist,” the GJA President asserted.

“I believe this is something we can dialogue with the NCA in order to ensure that those media houses that are affected will have the freedom to operate once again,” he added.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post GJA will resist NCA’s action against radio stations – Affail Monney appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Despite expectations of strong competition from Lloyd Evans and Johnny Aryeetey prior to the elections, Monney swept to victory, garnering 310 of the 510 valid votes cast.

Over 500 members of the GJA cast their ballots at various polling centers across the country, lower than the over 650 votes that had been expected.

The election was supposed to be held in March, 2017, but was postponed because of some unresolved disputes.

Monney had expressed confidence of victory ahead of the polls, pointing to the recent Unionisation of the Association as a major success of his tenure.

“The chances can be determined and will be determined by the voters, and I believe that I have done justice to my leadership mettle after only one term in office. For the first in the history of GJA, we’ve been able to unionize this Association, and what it means is that, the profile of media workers in Ghana will change for the better,” he said on Thursday.

Lloyd Evans who came second, polled 147 votes but finished well behind Monney.

Evans, speaking on Eyewitness News on Thursday, said that a change in leadership was necessary for the progress of the Association.

“This election is about leadership, we need to get the right calibre of people to lead the association. Leadership that will not criticize its own people but will rather support them, empower them, encourage them to move forward,” he said

Evans had discounted the Unionisation of GJA which was touted by Monney, stating that it was flawed and had bred uncertainty about the status of the Association.

“To be honest, I don’t know whether [GJA] is now a Union or an Association. The decision to unionize took most of us by surprise, it was announced on September 12 when we were in the middle of elections. This can’t fly in the face of the law. [The uncertainty] is very disgraceful, to say the least. The Executive, they wanted it this way and rushed for it. Most of us are surprised,” he had said.

‘Johnny Aryeetey or John Mahama’

The third candidate in the Presidential race,  Johnny Aryeetey could not cast his ballot as his name could not be found on the register at the polling station.

He polled just 44 of the 505 votes cast. In the spot where his name should have been, the name “John Dramani Mahama” was printed.

Insisting his name had been on the list presented to the candidates prior to the polls, Aryeetey claims that the results had been “predetermined.”

He later said on Eyewitness News that he would consider legal advise on the matter and might challenge the results.

Final results (Presidential)

Roland Affail Monney – 310

Lloyd Evans – 147

Johnny Aryeetey – 44

Valid votes cast – 501

Total votes cast – 505

2. Vice Presidential

Linda Asante Agyei – 209

Tina Aforo Yeboah – 111

Francis Kotutse – 93

Mattew Mckwame – 92

Valid – 505

Total votes 505

General Secretary

Edmund Kofi Yeboah – 251

Dave Agbenu – 250

Valid 501

Rejected 3

Total 504

Public Affairs

Mary Mensah – 287

Nii Adjei Klu – 216

Valid votes 503

Rejected 2

Total valid votes 505

Organising Secretary

Albert Tuffour – 312

Vance Azu  – 186

Valid 498

Rejected 4

Total votes 502

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By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Affail Monney retains GJA Presidency with landslide win appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He said the elections cannot be considered to be free and fair as the incumbent executives, led by President Affail Monney, are skewing the processes in their favour.

He told Citi News’ Marie-Franz Fordjoe that he believes the election is just a “mere formality” and the results have been “predetermined.”

“I have number 138 as my candidate, Mr. Johny Aryeetey who is vying for the presidency of the GJA, yet if you check with any other polling agent it has at number 138 as his Excellency John Dramani Mahama who is a member of the GJA,” he said.

He added that “even if my candidate is allowed to vote, it just goes to fuel the suspicion that most candidates in this year’s election had that this year’s GJA election is a mere formality, an that some people have been predetermined to come out victorious….We have pinpointed a lot of issues to the Electoral Committee that we are uncomfortable with, and believe that the incumbent executives are skewing certain things to their advantage, but they threw us out.”

Elections are currently ongoing at various polling stations across the country to elect new executives to lead the Association.

The GJA election was initially supposed to be held in March, 2017, but was postponed because of some unresolved disputes.

A presidential aspirant, Lloyd Evans was initially disqualified but he challenged it in court and eventually won.

A total of 656 media personnel are expected to cast their votes nationwide to elect the leaders to man the affairs of the Association.

There are three aspirants vying for the GJA presidential slot. But many believe the race is between the incumbent—Roland Affail Monney and Lloyd Evans.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post GJA elections: Aspirant accuse incumbent executives of manipulation appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Eligible voters are expected to produce a GJA identification card or any national ID card to cast their ballot.

All members in good standing, numbering over 600, are expected to vote in this election.

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), Lloyd Evans.

Other contestants are Kofi Yeboah, aspiring General Secretary, Vance Azu, aspiring Organising Secretary, Francis Kokutse, aspiring Vice President and Johnnie Aryeetey, aspiring President.

The election was supposed to be held in March 2017, but was postponed because of some unresolved disputes.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post GJA election underway appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The election was supposed to be held in March, 2017, but was postponed because of some unresolved disputes.

At the time, Lloyd Evans, who is also contesting for the presidential position, was appealing his disqualification, and some journalists were challenging the authority of Affail Monney and his executives to organize the election.

[contextly_sidebar id=”7q5i1ybgvG2nJLbv55PQfT28pUR1cYI9″]Lloyd Evans said at the time that he would resist the decision to disqualify him and has since been reinstated.

“The chances can be determined and will be determined by the voters, and I believe that I have done justice to my leadership mettle after only one term in office. For the first in the history of GJA, we’ve been able to unionize this Association, and what it means is that, the profile of media workers in Ghana will change for the better,” Affail Monney said to Citi News’ Farida Shaibu.

When asked about his reactions to the criticisms on how he has led the Association, he said, “I will not fault anybody for attacking or insulting me. I thank all those who have criticized me, some justifiable, some unjustifiable. Nana Akufo-Addo was the most insulted candidate in the history of this country and now he is occupying the first office of the land.”

Affail Monney believes that he has “unionized the GJA for the first time in the history of this country, we’ve also set up a GJA fund; after 5 years, contributors are eligible to get access to the fund and invest in any project of their choice” and that he has done enough to warrant a re-election.

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By: Jeffrey Owuraku Sarpong/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Affail Monney hopeful of another term as GJA president appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The petitioners allege that preliminary engagements with Mr. Boadu Ayeboafoh indicate he is likely to compromise the outcome of the hearing of their petition.

[contextly_sidebar id=”RWceGkzXuhZPIbaFOkjYh2Mx5Wkw2pYZ”]Two members of GJA; Charles Benoni Okine and Enoch Darfah Frimpong have questioned the mandate of the current executives of the GJA to conduct the elections even though their mandate officially expired in March 2016.

They also accused the executives of a constitutional breach in the timing for the establishment of the Election Dispute Adjudication Committee.

A letter by the petitioners sighted by Citi News is also appealing for the hearing to be re-scheduled to April 5 2017 due to unavailability of the lawyer for the petitioners.

When contacted, the Chairman of the Election Dispute Adjudication Committee, Mr. Boadu Ayeboafoh refused to comment on the matter indicating no knowledge of the said letter yet.

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.4

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.

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By: Pius Blay Amihere/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Recuse yourself – Group to head of GJA’s election dispute c‘ttee        appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

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.

[contextly_sidebar id=”4yL287S2Ul3ktpYwTWikaYThmaGBo2Qk”]“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.

–

By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post GJA postpones election indefinitely over disputes appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Audio: 49min 59sec
First aired: 7 Mar 2014

First edition of the FC Africa podcast features Stephen Keshi on Nigeria’s stateside draw with Mexico and analysis with BeIN Sport USA’s Sulaiman Folarin.

We get perspective of Cameroon’s horror show vs Portugal and also five things Ghana can learn for the World Cup (with European football expert Andy Brassell)

Plus we get answers on why Sudan v Kenya was cancelled (with Sudanese football writer Abdul Musa), the club vs country row is back as Zambia beat Uganda again (with Muka Bola from Zambia).

And public reaction to sacking of Ethiopian coach Sewnet Bishaw plus preview of Africans in key European leagues.

—

Presented by Gary Al-Smith and produced by Nathan Quao for Citi FM & supersport.com.

Soundtrack details
Song Title: Someway Bi
Artist Name: M.anifest
Produced by: Yung Fly
Singitdamnit Music/Cumbancha Music Publishing (BMI) 2013

More detail: Twitter.com/FCAfrica or Facebook.com/FCAfricaRadio

Follow @FcAfrica

The post FC Africa ep 1: Pre-WC2014 friendlies and East & Southern Africa wrap appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.