The Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has called on journalists to uphold the principles of truth, courage, and responsibility in their work, describing journalism as a profession rooted in service, sacrifice, and steadiness rather than comfort.
Speaking at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards in Kumasi on Saturday, November 8, 2025, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie lauded the media for promoting democracy and accountability but reminded practitioners of their duty to use their platforms to foster peace and national development.
“As we celebrate today and the awards, we must remember that journalism, just like justice, is not a profession of comfort, but one of service, sacrifice, and steadiness,” he said.
He urged journalists to move beyond rhetoric and transform their words into tangible action, emphasising that speeches should inspire meaningful change in society.
“As I have often said, speeches must remain something that is beyond words. They must stir us to action. For if they do not move us, they serve no purpose. So I say this afternoon, let this speech not end in mere applause but in awakening. Let every newsroom become a sanctuary of truth, every camera a mirror of conscience, and every microphone a trumpet for peace,” he stated.
Acknowledging the challenges journalists face, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie noted that the nation’s destiny often depends on the courage of those who speak truth to power and hold up an unflinching mirror to society.
“The task before the media is not an easy one, but the destiny of a nation has always rested on the courage of those who speak truth to power and hold the mirror steadily, even when the reflection is painful,” he said.
He concluded with a call for collective action in protecting Ghana’s environment and promoting peace, highlighting the symbolic link between the country’s rivers and its moral and civic health.
“If we defend peace with our words and rivers with our voices, the next time we gather here, the Pra, Densu, and even Ankobra will be smiling at us again,” the Acting Chief Justice said.
Source: citinewsroom.com