With just hours to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) national and regional elections, the Association’s Elections Committee has condemned what it describes as a deliberate attempt to undermine the integrity of the process, following the circulation of a fake voters’ register on social media.
In a strongly worded statement signed by the Committee Chair, Mr. Peter Martey Agbeko, the GJA warned its members to disregard the “mischievous fabrication” and to refer only to the official register, which has been duly authenticated by the GJA General Secretary and Treasurer.
“This is clearly a calculated move to sow confusion and cast doubts over a process that has, so far, been transparent and inclusive,” the statement read.
The GJA’s swift response highlights ongoing efforts to preserve trust and uphold professional ethics in what is a pivotal election for the country’s oldest and most influential media body.
Voters Urged to Exercise Civic Responsibility
Over 62 candidates—13 at the national level and 49 across the regions—will be on the ballot as members cast their votes on Monday, June 30, 2025, to elect new national and regional executives for a three-year term. Voting will take place between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm at designated polling centres nationwide.
To ensure credibility and security, the Elections Committee has emphasized that only valid identification documents—Ghana Card, Voter ID, or Passport bearing the journalist’s name and photograph—will be accepted at the polling stations.
“We’ve alerted the police to be on standby. We expect a peaceful, fair, and professional election process that reflects the values of the journalism fraternity,” the Committee warned.
High-Stakes Presidential and Vice Presidential Races
This year’s elections come amid a growing appetite for leadership renewal and institutional reforms. The Presidency is being hotly contested between incumbent Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, who is seeking a second term, and Charles Yao Mawusi, a communications specialist and media consultant.
In a rare all-female Vice Presidential race, Rebecca Ekpe, the current Public Affairs Officer and editor at GBC, faces off against Mary Tawiah Mensah, the Foreign Editor at the Daily Graphic and a former GJA Public Affairs Officer.
Reinforcing Electoral Integrity in a Digital Age
The emergence of a fake voters’ register underscores the increasing digital risks facing internal democratic processes within professional associations.
The GJA’s Elections Committee has reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and fairness, warning that any attempt to disrupt the process will be met with swift legal and institutional response.
“We are journalists—our credibility is our capital. We owe it to the Association and to the public to run an election that is above reproach,” Mr. Agbeko stated.
As GJA members head to the polls, the spotlight remains on how the media fraternity manages its own democratic process—and whether it can set a gold standard for other professional bodies to follow.
