By Daniel Bampoe
As preparations intensify ahead of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) National and Regional Executive Elections scheduled for June 30, 2025, the Elections Committee has finalized and publicly released the official ballot positions of all vetted and approved candidates.
The 2025 GJA elections are taking place against growing interest in media leadership, professionalism, and reforms within the media landscape.
With growing calls for a stronger union to defend press freedom and member welfare, this election is pivotal to the GJA’s direction in the coming years.
In the national race, 12 candidates who successfully passed the vetting stage have drawn their positions on the ballot.
The contest will cover six key leadership positions, including the coveted presidency.
The race for President will be between incumbent Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, who picked the first slot, and challenger Charles Yao Mawusi, who occupies the second position.
Other national-level contests
Vice President:
Mary Mensah (Position 1)
Rebecca Ekpe (Position 2)
General Secretary:
Dominic Hlordzi (Position 1)
Akwasi Agyeman (Position 2)
Organising Secretary:
Maxwell Kudekor (Position 1)
Suleiman Mustapha (Position 2)
Public Affairs Officer:
Zadok Kwame Gyesi (Position 1)
Caesar Abagali (Position 2)
Treasurer:
Theodora Amedetor Yakanou (Position 1)
Bertha Badu-Agyei (Position 2)
A notable withdrawal was recorded in the Treasurer category, with candidate Rufai Zambaga Saminu officially pulling out ahead of the balloting process.
Regional Ballots and Unopposed Victors
Across the regional branches, the elections are proceeding with a mix of contested and uncontested races. In regions such as Central, Volta, Eastern, Ashanti, Upper East, and Upper West, multiple candidates are vying for positions like Chairman, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Some highlights from contested regional positions include:
Central Region Chairman:
Kingsley Nana Buadu (Position 1)
David Yarboi-Tetteh (Position 2)
Volta Region Chairman:
Harrison Kofi Belley (Position 1)
Agbaxode Kobla Elikplim Emmanuel (Position 2)
Eastern Region Chairman:
Kanarku Neil Nii Amartey (Position 1)
Yvonne Neequaye (Position 2)
Ampem Darko-Koranteng (Position 3)
Upper West Region Chairman:
Seidu Ibrahim Bomanjo (Position 1)
Prosper Kwame Kuorsoh (Position 2)
In line with the GJA Constitution (Article 48(d)(i)), 31 regional candidates running unopposed have been declared duly elected.
This includes all four executive positions in the Western and Tema regions, as well as several uncontested seats in Bono, Bono East, Northern, North East, Oti, and Upper East regions.
Some prominent unopposed winners include:
Desmond Cudjoe – Chairman, Western Region
Michael Dewornu – Chairman, Tema
Regina Benneh Siaw – Chairperson, Bono Region
Frederick Antwi – Chairman, Bono East
Kwabena Ntow – Chairman, Oti Region
Mohammed Fugu – Chairman, North East Region
Yakubu Abdul-Majeed – Chairman, Northern Region
Open Slot in Volta Region
Despite the progress, nominations remain open for the Vice Chairperson position in the Volta Region.
The Elections Committee has extended the deadline for submission until 5 p.m. on Monday, June 17, 2025, allowing additional aspirants to contest.
Currently, Ivy Priscilla Setordjie is the sole nominee for that seat and may be declared elected if no other contestant steps forward by the deadline.
Voting Logistics and Oversight
Voting on June 30 will take place across 16 centers nationwide. In the Greater Accra Region alone, there will be six polling stations—five in Accra and one in Tema.
Other regions will each have one designated polling station, the details of which will be announced soon.
Counting of votes for the Regional Executive Elections will occur at the respective polling centers.
Results for the National Executive Elections will be transmitted to the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra for final collation and announcement.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana, in collaboration with the GJA’s Regional Election Officers, will supervise the electoral process.
Each candidate will be permitted to appoint agents to monitor proceedings at their respective polling stations.
A Call for Clean Campaigns
The GJA Elections Committee, chaired by Peter Martey Agbeko, has issued a strong appeal for candidates and supporters to maintain decorum throughout the campaign period.
The Committee emphasized the need for an issue-based campaign focused on policy, unity, and the advancement of journalism in Ghana.
