Members of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) are heading to the polls today, June 30, 2025, in a nationwide election that is being closely watched for its implications on media professionalism and leadership renewal within the Association.
Polling stations opened at 8:00 a.m. and will close at 3:00 p.m., with 883 verified members expected to vote across regional centres. The elections, held every three years, will decide who takes up key national and regional positions to lead the Association into a new chapter.
This year’s vote is taking place under heightened vigilance after the GJA Elections Committee warned members to disregard a “fake voters’ list” circulating on social media. In a statement issued Sunday, the Committee described the list as a deliberate attempt to sow confusion, urging members to trust only the official register signed by both the General Secretary and Treasurer of the GJA.
The polls come at a time when the GJA’s credibility and unity are under scrutiny, as some members have raised concerns over transparency and inclusivity in the electoral process. Nevertheless, the Elections Committee has assured the public and members that robust measures, including police standby, have been put in place to maintain order at voting centres.
A total of 62 candidates—13 at the national level and 49 across the regions—are competing for leadership positions, with several closely contested races shaping the narrative.
The national presidential contest features a high-stakes face-off between incumbent Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, seeking a second term, and challenger Charles Yao Mawusi, a seasoned media consultant. Their campaigns have centered on issues of media freedom, capacity-building, and restoring integrity to the Association.
Another headline race is the all-female Vice Presidential showdown between Rebecca Ekpe, current Public Affairs Officer and GBC Editor, and Mary Tawiah Mensah, Foreign Editor at the Daily Graphic. The contest has been described as a testament to increasing gender representation in media leadership.
The General Secretary race sees Dominic Hlordzi, currently the Organising Secretary, attempting to climb higher up the executive ladder, while his opponent Akwasi Agyeman seeks a comeback after a previous electoral loss in 2022.
The battle for Organising Secretary is another heavyweight contest between Maxwell Kudekor, current Eastern Regional Chairman, and Suleiman Mustapha, Acting Editor of the Graphic Business. The race is being framed as a clash between regional and national experience.
Financial stewardship of the Association is also on the ballot, as Bertha Badu-Agyei of the Ghana News Agency goes head-to-head with GBC’s Theodora Amedetor for the Treasurer role.
Meanwhile, for Public Affairs Officer, Caesar Abagali—who is hoping for a return after a past defeat—is contesting against Zadok Kwame Gyesi, formerly with Graphic Online.
Counting will take place immediately after polls close, with regional results to be announced at their respective centres and national results declared at the Press Centre in Accra.
Founded in 1949, the GJA remains Ghana’s leading journalism body, with a mission to uphold press freedom, professional ethics, and media development. As members cast their ballots today, the future direction of the Association hangs in the balance, with the incoming executives expected to play a critical role in confronting new media challenges and reinforcing democratic governance through ethical journalism.
