Ho, May 9, GNA - An office has been opened for the Volta Regional Secretariat of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

The one-room office is within Ghana News Agency (GNA) block in Ho. Mr Wilhelm Gaitu, Volta Regional Manager of the GNA, who represented GNA Management at the ceremony at the weekend, said the offer of the room by the Agency cements the mutually beneficial relationship between the two outfits. Before the office was opened, GJA had no definite meeting place and had its property scattered with some housed in the offices of the GNA.

The office has been equipped by Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRRC), the Ho Municipal Assembly and Mr Emmanuel Bedzrah, Member of Parliament (MP) Ho-West. Mr Bedrah donated a state-of-the art PC set, the VRCC, furniture and the Municipal Assembly, a 29 inch TV and a deck.

Support in various ways also came from Mr and Mrs Christian Horkeh of the Doelyne Enterprises, Mr and Mrs Billy Sunu and Mr Joseph Afedo, business executives. Mr Victor Kwawukume, GJA Volta Regional Chairman, said the office would serve as a resource centre for journalists in the region to facilitate career development.

He condemned the poor conditions under which journalists work,including poor pay, scruffy office environments and inadequate logistic and administrative support. Mr Kwawukume appealed to organizations and individuals to help stock the office with books and materials to improve the delivery of journalists in the region.

Mr Isaac Kodobisah, Ho Municipal Chief Executive, (MCE) called on journalists to live up to their social responsibilities, using their various organs to speed up the development of the nation.

Mama Atratoh II, Queen of Ho-Dome, who presided, expressed joy at the establishment of the secretariat, which would become the nerve centre of the media in the Volta Region.