GJA to create 6 new regional branches; increase membership dues to GHC50

GJA to create 6 new regional branches, increase membership dues to GHC50

Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has approved the creation of six new regional branches in conformity with the six newly created national administrative regions of Ghana.

A press release dated December 24 and signed by its General Secretary, Kofi Yeboah, said the approval was granted at an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) held on September 27, 2024.

The members also approved an increment in the monthly membership dues from Twenty Ghana Cedis (Ghs20) to Fifty Ghana Cedis (Ghs50) with effect from January 1, 2025.

The EGM, which was at the instance of the National Executive, also took decisions on other important matters, including membership ID Cards and payment of commission to members who raise sponsorship for the Association.

The EGM has the same powers of the Annual General Meeting, the highest decision-making body of the GJA.

New regional branches

The GJA operates regional administrative branches alongside the national administrative regions, with Tema as an additional region.

With the creation of six new regions – North East, Savannah, Bono East, Ahafo, Western North and Oti – in 2018, and six years after nurturing the new regions under the oversight of the parent regions, it has become imperative for the GJA to grant autonomous status to the newly created regions.

This implies that nominations will be open in those regions for members to contest for regional executive positions in the next GJA elections in 2025.

New membership dues

For a long time, the monthly membership dues has remained at Ghs20, and in order to meet administrative expenditure, increasing the dues to Ghs50 has become necessary.

The National Executive encourages members to pay up all outstanding dues for 2024 and preceding years by close of December 31, 2024, before the new dues regime begins in 2025.

Members may pay their dues through MoMo Merchant Number: 053 882 0150, in the name of: Ghana Journalists Association OR the GJA bank account with the following details: Name of Bank: National Investment Bank / Account Name: Ghana Journalists Association / Account Number: 1112037799401.

Clearing outstanding dues for 2024 and preceding years will ensure membership in good standing and also accord members eligibility rights in 2025, including voting rights and participation in the annual GJA Media Awards.

Sponsorship commission

Members also decided at the EGM that commission must be paid to members (including national and regional executives), who secure sponsorship for the Association for its activities.

Members, however, charged the National Executive to draft a policy on the payment of commission for sponsorship before implementation.

Membership ID Card

On membership identity card, members agreed at the EGM to make its expiry date six years and renewable every two years.

The National Executive has taken far-reaching steps to engage Margins ID Group to produce the Membership ID Card for the GJA.

The Association used the opportunity to wish members the best of the season.

“As the world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ on Wednesday, the National Executive of the GJA wishes all media practitioners across the country Merry Christmas. Afehyia Pa!” the press release concluded.