Mr Lloyd Evans, a former President of the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ), has been disqualified from contesting the presidency of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
According to the GJA Elections Committee, Mr Evans failed to meet the requirement under Article 47 (b) (iii)of the GJA Constitution, which states that “All members aspiring for Executive positions at the National and Regional levels must be members in good standing at least ninety (90) days before the elections.”
In a statement issued on Friday, the committee said records available to it indicates that Mr Evans paid his membership dues covering 2015 on 5th Dec. 2016 and that for 2016 on 14th Feb, 2017. In view of these, Mr Evans is also caught by the 90-day rule and therefore disqualified
Similarly, Mr Matthew Mac-Kwame, who filed for the position of Vice President, also failed to meet the requirements under Article 47 (b) (iii) which states that “All members aspiring for Executive positions at the National and Regional levels must be members in good standing at least ninety (90) days before elections.”
Explaining, the committee said records available indicates that by the 20th February 2017, Mr Mac-Kwame had not paid his membership dues for two (2) years. In view of these, Mr Mac-Kwame is caught by the 90-day rule and therefore disqualified.
The statement, which was signed by Mr Ben Assorow, Chairman of the Elections Committee said “Pursuant to part 10 of the GJA Constitution: GJA ELECTIONS AND ELECTORAL PROCESSES, and on the 13th Day of March 2017, the GJA Elections Committee vetted 14 candidates for various national Executive positions.”
The following members have qualified to contest the positions they are vying for as follows;
President:
– Mr Johnnie Aryeetey – Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
– Mr Affail Monney – Media Consultant
Vice President:
– Linda Asante-Adjei – Ghana News Agency
– Tina Aforo-Yeboah – The Spectator
– Francis Kokutse – Indo-Asian News Service
General Secretary:
– Dave Agbenu – Ghanaian Times
– Kofi Yeboah – Freelance
Treasurer:
– Audrey Dekalu – Ghana News Agency
Organising Secretary:
– Vance Azu – Junior Graphic
– Albert Kwabena Dwumfour
Public Affairs:
– Nii Adjei Klu – Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
– Mary Mensah – Daily Graphic
ii. Regional Executive Positions
For the regions, the following failed to qualify under the following reasons:
Late payment:
Mr Amponsah Moses Ohene (Tema)
Mr Zambaga Rufai Samini (Western Region)
Not a member:
Mr Ampem Darko-Koranteng (Eastern Region)
Mr Anthony Goode Jnr (Brong Ahafo)
Mr Kingsley Nana A. Buadu (Central Region)
Membership under 3 years:
Mr Jones Anlima (Volta Region)
Not a paid-up member:
Mr Mc-Anthony Dagyenga (Eastern region)
The statement further said except those disqualified above, “the Committee wishes to state that all other candidates who have filed for regional positions are qualified.
Special Cases:
The Committee found special cases. In some regions, either aspirants did not qualify, or no nominations were filed.
Article 48 (C) (i) states that: “Where at the close of nomination no candidate stands nominated, the Elections Committee shall inform the National Executive accordingly. (ii) “The National Executive shall authorize the Elections Committee to extend the period for nominations for that position for not more than seven (7) calendar dates.
In view of this, the date for reopening of nominations for such positions will soon be announced.
Common platform for candidates at the national level:
The GJA Elections Committee in collaboration with the Media Foundation for West Africa is organising a common platform for all qualified candidates on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 3 pm at the Ghana International Press Centre.
Other members of the Elections Committee are Mr Osei Kwadwo Adow (Esq), Mrs Sylvia Annoh (Electoral Commission of Ghana) and Mr Kwasi Kpodo (Reuters).
