The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has inaugurated its 10th regional chapter, Central Region, with a call on sports journalists to uphold the integrity and professionalism of the trade.
The inauguration and induction of newly elected regional executives was witnessed by Nana Kwame Edu VI, Tufohen of Oguaa Traditional Council, and other patrons from the Central Regional Chapter of the Association.
Kwabena Yeboah, the National President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana, who swore the executives into office, reiterated the need for sports journalists to be professional and uphold the ethics of the profession.
He said sports journalism had made significant strides in the country over the years but added that there was much more that needed to be done through continuous learning, regular training, mentoring, and specialisation.
He mentioned that SWAG had engaged several experienced journalists and other seasoned professionals to offer training on various topics, all aimed at improving the standard of sports journalism with greater ethical consideration.
“I am proud to say that these training programs across the country have helped improve standards, with fewer journalists falling foul of the law due to greater awareness and appreciation of media law and ethics in the profession,” he noted.
The President therefore charged the regional leaders to ensure their members abide by the ethics of the profession by taking advantage of opportunities for workshops, courses, and other learning materials to enhance their skills and knowledge, especially in this digital age where new technologies and artificial intelligence are rapidly changing content and the practice of journalism.
Nana Kwame Edu VI, who was the chairman of the event, congratulated the newly elected executives and assured them of his support and guidance to excel.
He, however, advised the journalists to be unique among their peers by being more investigative in their reporting rather than mere reporting.
He added that reporting alone would not help them and urged them to stop the speculative ways of journalism and be more focused on promoting local content and grassroots sports.
“Be innovative and intelligent in your reporting to be counted among the watchdogs for a better life for your youth.
“Expose, name, and shame those big fish in the ocean of sports who are syphoning the development of sports for their own selfish needs,” he advised.
The newly elected regional chairman, Dr. Godwin Asante Forkuo, thanked the members for the confidence they reposed in him to lead the region.
He assured the President and the dignitaries present to lead the chapter with dignity and uphold the ethical standards of the profession.
The executives of the regional chapter were led by Kwabena Yeboah to take the oath of office and the oath of allegiance.
The leadership of the Central Regional Chapter of SWAG is made up of Dr. Godwin Asante Fokuo as Chairman, Dr. Abdul Razak Mensah Iddriss as Vice Chairman, Peter Cobbinah as Secretary, Samuel Owusu Boahen as Treasurer, John Kwesi Arthur as Organiser, and Ebenezer Quansah as PRO.
