The Accra media scene has been taken over by dubious characters posing as journalists. These people, mockingly called "paparazzi" by the genuine media practitioners, rush from one function to the other mainly for refreshments and "soli".

Most of them seem quite old and have a similar appearance - shabby dressing, worn out shoes and files or brief cases loaded with old newspapers.

They claim to represent newspapers with that sound familiar but do not actually exist: such as Ghana Times (Ghanaian Times), Christian Chronicle (Ghanaian Chronicle), Daily Guard (Daily Guide or Daily Graphic), Business Today, Business and Financial Post (Business & Financial Times), National Herald (Network Herald) and Crusading Guard (Crusading Guide) among others. But if they think there is cause for suspicion, they quickly change this to, "I am a freelance journalist."

Before they request for copies of speeches at programs they would first of all find out whether a particular media house is present. If not, they can impersonate a journalist from that newspaper.

They are always the first to arrive at functions and occupy seats allotted to invited and genuine media houses. As the function commences they pretend to be scribbling away on writing pads but often end up dozing off in the middle of programs.

Afterwards they make financial demands on Public Relations Officers (PROs) and are the first to rush to gobble food and drinks served as refreshments for guests. They usually wrap and take away some of the food and to the embarrassment of everyone present.

Some get drunk and become a nuisance during functions by asking nonsensical questions.

Their behaviour has become a source of irritation to genuine members of the profession.

Late last year when the US Secretary of Commence on a visit to the country went t the Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital, one of these impostors asked, "Why is it that you US people you do not provide transportation when we cover your programs?"

Where do these fake media practitioners get "invitations" to attend programs? An observer says they have formed a "secret society" and usually meet at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) headquarters or Teachers Hall to plan their programmes for the day and weeks ahead. Sometimes they move from one hotel to another to find out scheduled activities.

Some months ago the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) in conjunction with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) began a war against such quacks.

Investigations revealed that some of those who were arrested at the Accra International Conference Centre, cautioned and granted bail, are now working with Internet cafes in the city, but many others are not deterred and are still doing the rounds.

Another tack they use is to go round promising to write features for non-governmental

organisations and end up duping officials of such non-profit organisations of huge sums of money.

Some journalists have called on the National Media Commission (NMC) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to initiate a national identity card (ID) system for all journalists. Others have called on programme organisers to inspect the ID cards of journalists who cover their functions.