The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has pledged its continuous support for members of the Ghana Photojournalists Network to  build their capacity to improve their visual  storytelling abilities.

This  will also sharpen their skills  to cover critical issues confronting the nation such as: climate change, road safety, illegal mining (galamsey), environmental degradation, illegal fishing practices, child labour, and sports photography.

The pledge was made by the president of the association Mr Albert Dwumfuor in his office at the Accra International Press Centre when members  of the Ghana Photojournalists Network (GPNeT), presented a working proposal to the  Association.

The document was presented by the president of the network  Mr. David Andoh,  and his vice, Mr. John Boateng Asante.

The presentation, which was witnessed by other executive members of the Association included the Vice President, Madam Linda Asante Agyei; Treasurer, Madam Audrey Dekalu; National Organiser, Dominic Hlordzi; and Public Relations Officer, Madam Rebecca Ekpe.

Speaking after the presentation, Mr. Andoh lamented how stakeholders and people in authority have downplayed the major contributions mainstream photojournalists have made to the development of the country through their compelling visual  storytelling works.

He also expressed worry about how editors and producers consistently fail to credit video journalists when presenting their works for telecast.

The Vice President of GPNeT, Mr. J.B. Asante, intimated that most of the videos captured by video journalists are packaged by reporters and submitted for awards and other forms of recognition, without acknowledging the painstaking efforts of the individuals who took the shots.

He therefore called on the GJA to advise television station editors and managers to ensure that video journalists are also duly recognised for their works.

Receiving the document, GJA President, Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, commended GPNeT for the bold steps taken, and promised GJA’s readiness to collaborate with GPNeT in its programmes going forward.

He assured that the GJA will soon respond to the proposal by inviting the executives of GPNeT to a meeting for further discussions.

Touching on the issue of video journalists not being recognised for their works, the General Secretary of GJA, Kofi Yeboah, urged that video journalists who are qualified members of the GJA could as well present the same works their colleague reporters submit for award schemes to be recognised.

The Ghana Photojournalists Network, affiliated to the Ghana Journalists Association, has been organizing capacity building workshops for its members.

GPNet is the first registered photojournalists' organization in Ghana with over 100 members comprising videographers and still photographers from various media houses nationwide.

Registered on May 14th 2021, the organization also serves as an umbrella body for all practitioners in Ghana.

Since its inception, it has organized a number of programmes to educate the general public.

Objectives of the organization which include the promotion of professionalism and high photojournalism standards, protection and advancement of the rights of Press Photography and Videography, and the production of compelling images to inform and educate the public.