Veteran Journalist, Cameron Duodu and business mogul, Sir Sam Jonah will grace the GJA’s 75th Anniversary Celebration.
The two respected personalities accepted to grace the Celebration when the Anniversary Planning Committee paid a separate courtesy call on them in Accra.
The Planning Committee’s first port of call was at the residence of Mr. Cameron Duodu whom many have described as the grand father of Journalism in Ghana, owing to his sterling works and ingenuity in the field of journalism.
The strong looking Octagenarian, with big smiles on his face, welcomed the Committee members into his cozy home-evoking a sense of warmth and snugness.
The delegation [ made up of former Editor of the Graphic Communications group, Mr. Kobby Asmah, Lawyer Marian Kyei, Former Director of GBC, Madam Ellen Avorgbedor, Former Head of Communications at Ghana Standards Authority, Mr. Peter Agbeko, the General Secretary of GJA, Mr. Kofi Yeboah, Mr. Dominic Hlordzi and Executive Secretary to GJA President, Mr. Michael Petit Mawugbe] was led by Veteran Journalist and Chairman of the Planning Committee Mr. Godwin Avenorgbor.
The Chairman in his opening remarks, said the visit was first to check up on him (Cameron) and see how he is faring as a proud member of the GJA and also to request of him to deliver a lecture on one of the sub-themes for the Anniversary Celebration.
“You have been an influence on many of us. God revealed to us that to celebrate 75th Anniversary we need a person of your calibre so the committee tactfully settled on you and we know with your depth of knowledge you can influence the past, the present and the future”, the Chairman stressed.
He said it is the expectation of the Committee that the International Journalist par excellence will challenge Journalists and give them a guide as well as “tell us what the future holds for us”.
Mr. Avenorgbor also recounted how the venerable Cameron Duodu would sometimes enter the GBC studios without a script and yet gave an unblemished delivery to the admiration of all.
He also revealed how Cameron Duodu became the only sought for Journalist to run commentary on topical issues at GBC.
Mr. Kobby Asmah on his part gave fond memories of some of the works of Cameron Duodu and praised him for the remarkable impacts he’s made both locally and internationally.
Mr. Peter Agbeko traced his relationship with the Veteran Journalists from the days of their father’s friendship saying Cameron is a great person who must be a role model to the younger generation.
MR. Cameron Duodu’s response to the request by the Committee was swifter than imagined saying “I shall be there”.
He added that Journalism is a profession dear to his heart hence he would make it a point to grace the coveted anniversary celebration.
He seized the opportunity to set the Records straight on allegations in the past that he snubbed GJA Awards for Graphic Awards.
He explained that the GJA’s Awards was happening at the same time as Graphic’s 70th Anniversary Awards and he was billed to receive an award at both functions so he decided to go for that of Graphic’s and later on go to the GJA’s.
According to him, at the time he received his award at Graphic’s event it was so late to catch up with that of the GJA’s hence his inability to attend the GJA’s Awards.
He expressed worry over why two important institutions would set same date for their events without one changing its date since the same stakeholders are to attend the two events.
He said such a thing does not augur well for the fraternity.
Mr. Duodu who treated the delegation to a sumptuous meal also appealed to the GJA to revive the Press Club and ensure that it’s functioning the way it used to in the past.
He recalled how Journalists gather at the press club (press centre), eat and drink free of charge along side live band catered for by Kweku Baako.
Cameron has had a very enviable career spanning over 40 years before his retirement with stint at Observer, and BBC all in the United Kingdom.
In Ghana he recalls how his infamous re-enactment of General Kutu Acheampong’s “Yentua” comment made him so popular in his days at GBC.
“As a News Editor I was also writing plays. I wrote ‘the powers that be’ and I got 200,000 cedis at the time and it was big money. God has blessed me with a sense of humor and I write humorous stories”, Mr. Duodu recounted.
Mr. Kofi Yeboah expressed the GJA and the Committee’s appreciation to the Veteran Journalist for accepting to grace the occasion and promising to meet the expectations of the Committee.
The delegation continued its courtesy call with a visit to the business magnate, Sir Sam Jonah on Thursday.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Committee Mr. Godwin Avenorgbor announced the purpose of the visit to Mr. Jonah and requested of him to grace the 75th Anniversary Celebration as the Guest of Honour.
Mr. Jonah responded to the request in affirmative and stressed the need for the Anniversary Celebration to address some of the ills of the society.
He expressed worry over how the media is mute on pressing issues of National concern including galamsey which he said has destroyed our water bodies.
“I was going to collect my Doctorate award at UMAT, Tarkwa and I flew with my wife in a helicopter and when you see the Ankobra it looks like this [chocolate]”.
He challenged Journalists to go extra mile to expose the rots in the country since it’s the media’s core mandate.
“Do you know that SALL has no representation in Parliament and you are quiet. Meanwhile John Kumah’s by-election is going to be held, but SALL has been abandoned.
A whole constituency has no representation and you people are quiet”, Mr. Jonah decried
Mr. Peter Agbeko responded to the business magnate and re-echoed the media’s role in agenda setting adding that the Anniversary Celebration is a perfect event for evoking such National discussions.
Mr. Kobby Asmah stated that as Journalists we are supposed to be the conscience of the nation maintaining that “if those who are the conscience of the nation are partisan, it calls for worry”.
He also called for the need for the media to play that watchdog role effectively.
The Chairman of the Committee, later expressed gratitude to Sir Sam Jonah saying “we need more men like you”.
The delegation [which was later joined by the Vice President of GJA Linda Asante Adjei, the Public Affairs Officer, Rebecca Ekpe and the Treasurer Audrey Dekalu] also visited GBC and GNA to discuss issues of co-operation and how the two media giants can support the Anniversary celebration in the area of publicity.
Source:NewsFlashAfrica.Com
