The Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has pledged support to the Ghana Journalists Association on their proposed legislation aimed at improving welfare and service conditions of journalists in the country. He made this remark during a visitation by the national executives of the GJA at his office on Tuesday inviting him to the upcoming GJA awards on November 7. Mr. Bagbin assured the professional group of leveraging the House’s legislative drafting department in developing a draft bill with inputs from the Association before ending up on the floor for consideration. He was responding to an appeal by GJA president Albert Kwabena Dwomfuor for help in advancing the Association’s welfare proposals citing low wages, difficult working conditions and physical attacks on journalists.

The Speaker was confident in Parliament’s capacity to draft legislation without relying solely on the Office of the Attorney-General, but that notwithstanding Parliament would seek advice and other input from the Attorney-General’s Department in developing the bill. Mr Bagbin also called for better conditions of service for journalists, saying the profession did not adequately reward practitioners financially.

Mr Dwumfour on his part said improving journalists’ welfare and working environment would strengthen professionalism and help the media carry out its responsibilities. He reaffirmed the Association’s readiness to work with Parliament and other stakeholders on those concerns including sponsoring a private member to lead consideration of the said journalist welfare bill in Parliament through its passage.

The awards ceremony in November will mark 30 years since it was instituted by the GJA to be attended by the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, as special guest of honour. A special award will be presented to the speaker of parliament for his contribution to press freedom in Ghana, while inducting some distinguished personalities into the GJA Hall of Fame.