Accra, May 6, GNA - The Elections Committee of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) announced on Wednesday that nominations of candidates for elections to fill executive positions of the Association would open on Monday, June 1.

A statement issued by the Committee said the nominations would close on June 24 and elections would be conducted on July 9. The statement was signed by Mr Ben Assorow (Chairman), Ms Betty Apau-Opong and Mr Mawusi Afele (members). The positions to be contested are: President; Vice-President; General Secretary; Organising Secretary; Treasurer and Public Affairs Officer.

The statement said according to Article 47 of the GJA Constitution, "only members of the Association in good standing other than affiliate, student and honorary shall have the right to vote". It said a list of members in good standing would be published in the Daily Graphic and Chronicle by Monday, June 8, 2009. Members may also contact their local Chapters or Regional Branches for details. The statement said candidates vying for any of the executive positions shall be full members of the Association for at least five years and must be in good standing at least 90 days before elections. Nominations of a candidate for the National Executive position shall be made by two members in good standing, both of whom shall not come from the same media organisation. The Committee said the nomination fees for the various executive positions are: President GH¢100.00; Vice President GH¢80.00 and General Secretary GH¢60.00.

Candidates for Organising Secretary; Treasurer and Public Affairs Officer will each pay nomination fee of GH¢50.00. The statement said nomination of candidates together with the requisite fees should be paid in cash or in Bankers Draft in the name of the Ghana Journalists Association through: GJA Elections Committee, Ghana International Press Centre, P. O. Box GP4636, Accra on or before Wednesday, June 24. Meanwhile, as required by the Constitution of the GJA, a three-member Elections Dispute Adjudication Committee has been established.

The membership comprises Mrs Jeanette Quarcoopome, Lawyer/Journalist (Chairperson), Mr Mohammed Addoquaye, Greater Accra Regional Director of Elections at the Electoral Commission (Member) and Alhaji Razak El-Alawa, a veteran journalist (Member). The GJA Elections Committee said Regional Executives of the GJA are to organise elections for new regional executives on the same day. They should choose their Elections Officer (s), fix their nomination fees and contact the Electoral Commission of their respective Regions to help them conduct the election.