GJA Calls On Police Administration  To Rescind Its Decision On Centralization  Of Information In Interest Of Public. 

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA)  has observed with dismay a developing trend where the police administration, as part of its communication strategy has centralized the sharing of information to the public and the media. 

According to the Association, even information from towns, communities, districts and the regions are held up in Accra and released from Accra.

The Association pointed out that this 

 model of communication is not new and the GJA acknowledges the vision of the Police Administration to ensure that communication by the police is done properly based on adequate briefs. 

"We commend the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare for his sterling leadership so far. The GJA acknowledges the magnitude of the challenges of the Police Administration and we encourage holistic support for the IGP and his men," the Association in a statement signed and issued by its President, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour  noted.  

                                                

This notwithstanding, the Association stated that information is the oxygen for democratic dispensation and the media, being the Fourth Estate of the Realm thrive on information. Starving the media of information in a decentralised system using centralization tactics is impeding the work of the media as far as information dissemination is concerned. 

It said though the Police Administration may have germane reasons for the directive to have a centralised system, the GJA believes that the system is counter-productive and only creates room for speculation and misinformation and disinformation. 

The Association emphasized that the GJA's quest to get this system reversed follows incessant calls from the rank and file of the media fraternity asking for actions and intervention by the National Executive.

"It is also instructive to note that before this press statement, some of our regional branches were left with no option than to issue statements calling on the IGP to reconsider his decision to centralise information sharing and allow Regional Commanders and their Public Relations officers to give information on issues in their jurisdiction to the media as it used to be the norm," the statement said.

According the statement, journalists in the region are concerned about accurate and informed reportage and it is important that they are assisted with timely and credible information to deliver on their mandate. 

In view of the above reasons, the statement called on the Police Administration to rescind its decision on the centralization of information in the interest of the Public. 

The GJA in the statement entreated all Journalists and media practitioners, in general, to remain calm while the National Executive makes efforts to address your concerns and ensure a reversal of this system of communication by the Police Administration.