Accra, 2nd November, 2022
The President General of the Center of Awareness Global Peace Mission, (COA-GPM) Professor Samuel Ato Duncan has made a passionate appeal to stakeholders to rally forces together in protecting the rights of journalists in the performance of the professional and constitutional mandate.
Professor Duncan made the call at the International Press Center in Accra on Wednesday during the launch of “Journalists Support Fund”, an initiative by the GJA National Executives aimed at raising some two million Ghana cedis as seed capital to support journalist who have been hurt in the line of action. Part of the fund will also be used to support retired journalists who have no form of support.

The launch also coincided with the celebration of the UN Day to end impunity to crimes against journalist.
Delivering his acceptance speech as chairman for the ceremony, Professor Duncan queried why an individual could hurt his neighbour because they differ on opinions, adding it is an indication of a sick society that requires healing.
On the 2022 World Press Freedom ranking by Reporters Without Borders, Professor Duncan noted that Ghana dropping 30 places to 60th out of 180 countries does not paint a good picture of a progressive democracy. He therefore commended the leadership of the GJA for the bold step in establishing the fund.

Professor Duncan and his COA Team donated an amount of GH¢100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis) in support of the fund. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who represented the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Dampare also donated an amount of GH¢20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Ghana cedis) on behalf of the Ghana Police Service in support of the fund.

Present at the launch were the UN Representative to Ghana, Abdourahmane Diallo, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union, Peter Smidt Van Gelder and Press Attache of the US Embassy, Kevin J. Brosnahan.

A justice of the Supreme Court, His Lordship Justice Yonny Kulendi, who delivered the keynote address jointly launched the fund with Professor Duncan.