Tamale Jan.12, GNA - The Northern Region Branch of the Ghana Journalists' Association (GJA) has commended the security agencies, political parties and ethnic groups in the region for their efforts at maintaining peace and order in the area.

It also congratulated journalists, chiefs and people in the region, the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), Civil Society Organisations (CSO) and the Districts Assemblies for their efforts to ensure the development of the region.

This was contained in a New Year message signed by the Northern Regional Chairman of the GJA, Mr. Alidu Baba, in Tamale on Thursday. The message said the GJA prides itself as a major partner in the region's development and acknowledged the fact that the numerous projects and programmes would not have been successful without a peaceful and stable environment.

It assured the people that journalists in the region would continue to play an active part in the quest for accelerated development as the nation marks its Golden Jubilee independence anniversary. The Association also commended the founding fathers of the nation - Osagyefo Dr.Kwame Nkrumah, Dr. J.B. Danquah, Ako-Adjei, Obetsebi Lamptey, Akuffo-Addo and William Ofori-Atta, through whose efforts the country won independence.

It also commended the founding fathers for making the media "stand tall" among other professions, in holding its position as the "Fourth Estate of the Realm", whose contribution to the governance of the country could never be wished away.

The new Regional Executive with Mr. Paul Osei-Tutu, Vice-Chairman, Mr. B.D. Pobia, Secretary and Mr. Saaka Mohammed, as the Treasurer, also paid tribute to their predecessors for their efforts. They pledged to continue their good work and wished journalists in the region a happy and prosperous New Year and promised to build the profession in the area into a vibrant and enviable one.