The deputy minister for information, Pius E. Hadzide has called on the sports media to guard their profession by reporting on the issues positively to attract sponsors to invest in sports.
Speaking at the induction of the new executives Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) into office at the Accra Sports Stadium, he commended the members for having confidence in their leadership and retaining them in office.
He also congratulated the umbrella body of sports media in Ghana for introducing electronic voting and having a very free and fair election.
Hon. Hadzide said sports contribute massively to a nation’s development in terms of adding to GDP, creating employment and uniting the people.
He promised to add sports journalists to some of the Ministry of Information initiatives on capacity enhancement and others to safeguard journalists.
Ben Nunoo Mensah, president of the Ghana Olympic committee (GOC) who graced the ceremony also appealed to the sports media to report more on positive news as they stand to benefit with the sports men and women if sponsors come on board.
He also appealed to sports federations to emulate SWAG in organizing their elections to avoid all the negative things associated with voting.
Professor Peter Twumasi, the director general of the National Sports Authority (NSA) urged the sports media to support and report on lesser known sports like Ampe.
Dr. Roland Affail Monney, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) president who inducted the new executives into office praised SWAG for leading in many programmes on the media landscape, and urged members to meet the standards of fair reporting and be ethical.
Kwabena Yeboah, the retained president thanked members and patrons, as well as the sports authorities and sponsors for supporting the association over the past 51 years.
He hinted that it is the collective effort of members that has kept SWAG moving from strength to strength.
The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Ray Quarcoo, Madam Gifty Annan Myers, Ken Bediako, Ebo Quansah, representatives of MTN Ghana and some sports federation head.
The new SWAG executives are Kwabena Yeboah – president, Maurice Quansah – vice president, Charles Osei Asibey – general secretary, Thomas Boakey Agyeman – dep. general secretary, Rosalind Amoh – treasurer, Sometymer Otuo Acheampong – executive member and Ohene Brenya Bampoe – executive member. They will be in office from 2019 to 2023.
By Sammy Heywood Okine