BY Daniel Bampoe
In a reaffirmation of his leadership, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour has been handed a fresh three-year mandate as President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), following a hotly contested national election held on Monday.
The polls, which drew over 800 accredited journalists across the country, saw Dwumfour securing a commanding victory with 445 votes—representing 64.49% of total valid ballots cast.
His closest contender, Charles Yao Mawusi, managed 245 votes (35.51%) in what many analysts described as an impressive showing, especially given his late entry into the race.
Charles Mawusi’s candidacy injected a competitive edge into the polls, challenging the incumbent to defend his record and rally fresh endorsements from key stakeholders within Ghana’s media fraternity.
Albert Dwumfour’s triumph signals a vote of confidence by the association’s members in his vision and stewardship, following a term that has seen both praise and scrutiny.
His first tenure focused on capacity building, safety advocacy for journalists, and efforts to strengthen the union’s financial sustainability.
But it wasn’t just the presidency that was up for grabs.
The GJA election, one of the most competitive in recent memory, featured 12 candidates vying for six national executive positions, with an additional 49 candidates contesting regional roles.
It marked a vibrant and widely participated democratic exercise for Ghana’s media watchdog.
Rebecca Ekpe of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation emerged victorious in the Vice Presidential race, replacing outgoing VP Linda Asante Agyei. Ekpe narrowly edged out her rival, Mary Mensah of the Graphic Communications Group, in a contest many had predicted would go down to the wire.
Also elected were Suleiman Mustapha, also from Graphic Communications Group, who takes over as the new Organising Secretary, and Zadok Kwame Gyesi, who now assumes the role of Public Affairs Officer.
These executives, along with the regional officers, are expected to drive the association’s reform agenda in an increasingly complex media environment.
Observers say the mandate handed to Albert Dwumfour and his team comes with high expectations.
In an era marked by misinformation, declining press freedoms, and shifting economic challenges facing the media, the GJA leadership must now move from electoral victory to bold advocacy and institutional strengthening.
The outcome of the election marks not just a personal victory for Dwumfour, but a turning point for the GJA’s future direction.
