Accra, May 2, GNA - The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) will commemorate this year's World Press Freedom Day with a symposium on Tuesday, May 4, at the Ghana International Press Centre, Accra.

A statement signed by Mr Bright Kwame Blewu, General Secretary of GJA, said the symposium, which starts at 0930, would focus on the role of the media in national development, specifically, on the importance of radio in national building.

It said the symposium would also be used to "sensitise policy makers and members of the public on the need for Ghana to adopt the African Charter on broadcasting, drawn up in Windhoek, Namibia in 2001."

The statement said the various speakers would address the theme, "Radio: prospects and challenges in national building," from the perspective of the Executive, Lawmakers, the National Media Commission (NMC), as a constitutional media organ.

Speakers for the symposium are Nana Akomea, Minister of Information, Mr Felix Owusu-Agyapong, Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Wilson Kusi-Atansah, Chairman of the NMC, and Mr Ofosu Adarkwa, Chief Director, Ministry of Communication. The rest are Mr Yaw Owusu-Addo Director of GBC Radio, and Mr Fred Oware, President of Ghana Independence Broadcaster's Association. May 3 is observed throughout the world as World Press Freedom Day every year, under the aegis of the United Nations. The Day was designated in 1993 by the UN General Assembly.