Friday, January 16, 2009

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PROGRESSIVE JOURNALISTS UNION OF GHANA (PRO-JUG) CONGRATULATES PROF. MILLS

PRESS RELEASE

PROGRESSIVE JOURNALISTS UNION OF GHANA (PRO-JUG) CONGRATULATES PROF. MILLS


The Progressive Journalists Union of Ghana (Pro-JUG) wishes to congratulate Professor John Evans Atta Mills and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on their victory in the just ended 2008 general elections.

We of Pro-JUG commend the president elect and the NDC for their composure during the entire election and would like to advise the NDC supporters that in celebrating the victory of the party they should not indulge in any act that might provoke their opponents.

We also commend the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and their supporters for their self-control during the elections.

Once again the Electoral Commission (EC) has proven that it is very independent and capable of handling any electoral challenge. We particularly commend Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan for exercising in professionalism in ensuring that our beloved Ghana had a more transparent, free and fair election.

We also congratulate the media, security agencies and all observer groups for a good job done.

Finally, irrespective of the isolated skirmishes recorded, Ghanaians must be praised once again for well-behaving in an electioneering period.

Again Ghana has proven to the continent and the entire world that democracy and the rule of law can be practiced in Africa.



Kofi Ahovi
Ag. Gen. Sec.
0243 66 36 50

THE PROGRESSIVE JOURNALISTS UNION OF GHANA (PRO-JUG) CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON JOURNALISTS

PRESS RELEASE


The Progressive Journalists Union of Ghana (Pro-JUG) would like to condemn acts of violence meted out on journalists both members and non-members of the union by persons believed to be supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The Vice President of the union, Mr. Jeorge Wilson Kingson, and other members of the association were beaten by supporters of the NPP on December 31, 2008 at Nana Akufo Addo’s, East Legon residence.

Their crime was that they have overtly declared their support for Professor John Evans Atta Mills and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and therefore must not be seen anywhere near an NPP funtion. Irrespective of whether they are officially assigned or not

Other journalists whose media houses have in one way or the other made mention of Professor John Evans Atta Mills and or the NDC of winning the election were maltreated, heckled or beaten.

In our opinion, the frequent occurrence of such acts under a regime and a leadership that boast so much of impressive human rights records must be condemned by all. We share in the believe that democracy thrives more in a society where the media is very much independent, irrespective of the season or time.

It is therefore heart warming to hear that the general secretary of the NPP, Nana Ohene Ntow, has come out categorically to condemn the acts.

It is our hope that the party will take measures to ensure that such acts are not repeated in future.



Kofi Ahovi
Ag. Gen. Sec.
0243663650

Pro-JUG SUPPORTS PROF. MILLS

SPEECH READ BY MR. RICHARD ADINKRA OF PROGRESSIVE JOURNALISTS UNION OF GHANA (PRO-JUG) ON THE DECLARATION OF SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS (NDC), HELD ON THE 18TH DECEMBER 2008 AT BUSY INTERNET AUDITORIUM.

Colleague members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen
All protocols observed,
It is my pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the PROGRESSIVE JOURNALISTS UNION OF GHANA (PRO-JUG), to this press conference.
The Progressive Journalists Union of Ghana (Pro-JUG) is an association of like minded and progressive journalists who have come together to fight a common purpose, which is to promote the welfare of the Ghanaian journalists and to restore public confidence in journalism in Ghana. Our membership cuts across the entire country.
Our aims among others include:
· Seeking the welfare of all practicing journalists.
· Upholding high journalistic standards and professionalism in the country.
· Restoring public confidence in journalists.
· Creating and maintaining good working relationship and mutual understanding among journalists
· To consistently addressing issues of national interest.
· Championing the course of democracy, good governance and human rights in and outside the country.
·
Ladies, Gentlemen and fellow media practitioners, as journalists we are in a unique position to shape the direction and destiny of this country and we can only do this to the fullest if we are given the room to operate on fair playing field.
We are all witnesses to the selective favouritism being exhibited currently in the country by the government and the ruling party. Sadly enough not even the almighty media has been spared of this.
Journalism has been divided along political lines and obviously this does not auger well for the democratic dispensation of this country.
This is why we have all converged here today to declare our support for Prof. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills.
We of Pro-JUG have critically assessed and concluded that among the two giants in the run-off, it is only the NDC that can redeem the sinking image of our noble profession. Indeed we need total change in the way politics is done in this country. We need a change from selective favouritism and we have realized that Prof. Mills and the NDC represent this change.
We believe that among the two major parties contesting the presidential run-off in this year’s elections, the needs of Ghanaian journalists would be effectively addressed under Professor John Evans Atta Mills and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) than under Nana Akufo Addo and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Even though it is an undeniable truth that the NDC did not have a palatable relationship with the media in the past, the party has proven to us all in recent times that it has the media at heart and wants it to work in an independent atmosphere. This could be seen in its endeavours in shunning away from financially influencing the media, an act which is evident in the current NPP administration and which is bound to continue in Nana Akufo Addo’s administration if he is retained. After all, he has consistently promised to continue what President Kufuor has done.
Ladies and Gentlemen, after our assessment, we can confidently say to the whole world that the national executives of the NDC led by its presidential candidate Prof. Atta Mills, have exhibited an enormous care, and willingness to work with journalists and all who matter in the development of our great country to ensure a better Ghana for all.
As an association of journalists, we have carefully studied the manifestoes of the two political parties in the race, we have assessed their personalities and weighed their leadership experiences and are convinced that the best interest of Ghana would be well served under Prof. Atta Mills and the NDC government which has the policy of investing in people, jobs and the economy.
We are therefore urging our entire membership across the country as well as all journalists and media practitioners and the general Ghanaian electorate to vote massively for Prof. John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills and the NDC for A BETTER GHANA.
Thank you very much and may you vote wisely.

Contact persons: 0244 822034, 0243 66 36 50
ACTING EXECUTIVES
PRESIDENT -KWADWO ASARI BAFFOUR-
VICE-PRESIDENT- JEORGE WILSON KINGSON
GENERAL SECRETARY-KOFI AHOVI