The stage is now set for a keenly contested Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) national and regional elections as candidates vying for various executive positions picked their spots on the ballot paper on Friday, June 13, 2025, at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra.
Twelve out of thirteen approved national candidates successfully participated in the balloting process, choosing either the first or second position for the six top leadership roles of the Association: President, Vice President, General Secretary, Organising Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Affairs Officer.
However, one of the aspirants, Rufai Zambaga Saminu, withdrew from the race for Treasurer. His decision was communicated to the Elections Committee through a formal letter just before the balloting.
At the regional level, 17 of the 49 candidates picked positions to contest for Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer roles across six regions—Ashanti, Volta, Central, Upper East, Upper West, and Eastern. Notably, 31 candidates are running unopposed and have thus been deemed duly elected in accordance with Article 48(d)(i) of the GJA Constitution.
“Where at the close of nomination, only one person stands nominated, that candidate shall be declared elected by the Elections Committee,” the Constitution stipulates.
The GJA Elections Committee Chairman, Mr. Peter Martey Agbeko, described the balloting exercise as a major step towards a credible election.
“This successful balloting marks a significant milestone in the electoral process. We are determined to ensure a transparent, peaceful, and democratic exercise. We urge all candidates and their supporters to conduct clean and progressive campaigns. The future of the Association depends on the ideas we share and the values we uphold during this critical,” Mr. Agbeko said.
He further noted that the Electoral Commission of Ghana will supervise the elections, assisted by GJA Regional Election Officers.
Voting is scheduled for Monday, June 30, 2025, and will take place at 16 designated centres across the country. These include five centres in Accra, one in Tema, and ten other regional polling stations in Central, Eastern, Upper East, Upper West, Bono, Bono East, Ashanti, Volta, Northern, and Western regions.
The results of the regional executive elections will be declared at the respective polling centres, while national executive results will be collated at the Ghana International Press Centre.
Mr. Agbeko reiterated the Committee’s commitment to fairness and professionalism, adding, “We are working hard to release the guidelines for the conduct of polls soon. We wish all aspirants the very best.”
Meanwhile, nominations for the vice chairperson position in the Volta Region remain open until 5pm on Monday, June 17. The approved candidate(s) will be included in the elections.
