The Western Region branch of the Ghana Journalists Association launched the “PEN” programme as part of efforts to help journalists retire well.
Under the plan, journalists are obligated to contribute to a retiring journalist in the Western Region, which is frequently voluntary.
Desmond Cudjoe, the GJA’s Western Region Chairman, outlined the idea behind the programme as a special way of saying goodbye to co-workers who will “no longer join us to programmes.”
“It began as a haphazard attempt to support a colleague who was retiring on the Western Pen, the largest WhatsApp platform for journalists in the area. But after much discussion, the platform’s members agreed that it should be institutionalised.
“Peter Gbambila of the Ghanaian Times, one of our members, just retired. As part of the PEN scheme, we requested voluntary contributions, and there was a strong response.
In a brief address to the first recipient, Administrator of the Scheme Juliet Aguir of B&FT praised members for their enthusiastic response to the request for a donation. Peter Gbambila of the Ghanaian Times was given the unknown sum and thanked the donors for their generosity.
Peter Gbambila who practiced for more than 30 years advised young members to always double-check their facts before publishing their stories.
“I did so diligently throughout my years of practise.” A fair and balanced article was my trademark. I never jeopardised professional standards and ethics. And I will beg all media to follow these guidelines.”
In addition to the PEN programme, Kwame Mensa of Radio 360, Vice Chairman of the Association, revealed that the regional leadership is in negotiations with various insurance firms to sign members up.
“At a point on the Western PEN, we had to contribute almost every two or three weeks for a member who either has lost one parent, has given birth, married, or lost a spouse. It was becoming burdensome. And so we decided to speak to some insurance companies. After some education, members agreed to sign up. Currently, some members are already on one. Other members are also joining gradually. We believe it the best way to go, to avoid the unannounced and sometimes the uncomfortable call for contributions.”