Affail Monney
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) yesterday hosted both foreign and local delegates to the Global World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) celebrations to be held in Ghana.
The international guests including journalists and representatives of the United Nations were treated to a welcome reception at the Ghana International Press Centre, headquarters of the GJA.
A vigil was also held during the evening reception to remember journalists who had died in line of duty across the world.
The formal occasion was used to display the rich Ghanaian culture to the foreign delegates. Performances by the Pan African Youth Orchestra and Mr. Osei Korankye who gave a rendition of press freedom through the medium of the traditional instrument known as “Seprewa” gained the praise of the guests.
Spoken Word artistes from the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) also executed a fine poetry on press freedom to the delight of the audience.
The National Media Commission (NMC), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) gave solidarity messages.
World Press Freedom Day
Every year, UNESCO organizes a national celebration to mark the global World Press Freedom Day in one country. This year, it will be commemorated in Accra, Ghana beginning May 1 to 3, 2018. The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law.”
UNESCO uses the day to celebrate “the fundamental principles of press freedom, to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence, and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.”
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri