The Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has urged Ghanaian journalists to rise beyond rhetoric and use their platforms to drive tangible national transformation, insisting that journalism must move from “mere applause” to purposeful action that shapes a better society.
Speaking at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards in Kumasi on Saturday, November 8, 2025, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie called on media practitioners to embody truth, courage, and responsibility in their reporting, saying the press remains one of the most powerful forces for peace, accountability, and national development.
He described journalism as a vocation of duty rather than comfort, likening it to the judicial calling, where service and sacrifice must outweigh personal convenience.
“Journalism, just like justice, is not a profession of comfort but one of service, sacrifice, and steadiness,” he said.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie noted that while journalists often illuminate wrongdoing and amplify voices of the vulnerable, their ultimate task is to transform awareness into impact — to use stories not only to expose, but to heal, guide, and unite the nation.
“Speeches must stir us to action. If they do not move us, they serve no purpose,” he remarked. “Let every newsroom become a sanctuary of truth, every camera a mirror of conscience, and every microphone a trumpet for peace.”
The Acting Chief Justice acknowledged the challenges confronting the media, including economic pressures, political polarization, and safety concerns. Yet, he emphasized that the nation’s moral strength depends on the media’s courage to confront power with honesty and integrity.
“The destiny of a nation has always rested on the courage of those who speak truth to power and hold the mirror steadily, even when the reflection is painful,” he stated.
In a symbolic appeal that blended civic duty with environmental consciousness, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie urged journalists to extend their advocacy to protecting Ghana’s natural resources — especially its rivers — as part of a broader moral and national renewal.
“If we defend peace with our words and our rivers with our voices, the next time we gather here, the Pra, Densu, and even Ankobra will be smiling at us again,” he said.
The GJA Awards, held under the theme “Truth in Journalism: Building Trust for National Development,” celebrated excellence in Ghanaian journalism while reinforcing the profession’s vital role in sustaining democracy, environmental stewardship, and social justice.
