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Justice Frank Gbedey, a circuit court judge in Sunyani, at the weekend called on media personnel not to allow themselves to be swayed by politicians for their personal ambitions. He noted that the media played a very vital role in the country's political dispensation and urged journalists to discharge their duties with decorum and adhere to the ethics of their profession. Justice Gbedey made the call when he administered the official oath at a swearing in ceremony of the newly elected executives of the Brong-Ahafo Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) at Abesim near Sunyani. The new executives are Mr. Ian Motey, regional correspondent of the Ghanaian Times as chairman, Mr. David Agbezuge, a cameraman of the regional office of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) vice chairman, Mr. Larry Paa Kwesi Moses, regional correspondent of T.V. Africa, secretary and Mrs. Christiana Kumah, treasurer and a staff of GBC in Sunyani. Mr. James Baah, regional photo editor of Daily Graphic, Mr. Kingsley Effah, staff of GBC in Sunyani, Mrs. Regina Benneh Siaw, senior reporter of Ghana News Agency (GNA), and Mr. Fiifi Ofosu-Okyere, Director of Dormaa Community Radio are executive members. Justice Gbedey noted that the media had concentrated on 'political journalism' for a long time instead of social issues of development and of national interest. "You should not allow yourselves to be manipulated by politicians to achieve their selfish political gains", he advised media practitioners to be circumspect and to cross-checks facts before disseminating. Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Regional Minister, commended the media for helping to portray the positive aspect of the region. He advised journalists to ensure balanced reportage which would unite the people stressing that "a balanced report must be of two sides". Mr. Charles Koomson, regional manager of the GNA, and out-going chairman of regional branch of GJA, said journalism was a noble and enviable profession and advised media personnel to exhibit a high sense of professionalism. He observed that the conduct of some journalists in the region was not satisfactory and charged the new executives to work hard to bring sanity into the profession. "There are some media practitioners who call themselves journalists and they must not be tolerated at all because they drag the image of the profession in the mud", Mr. Koomson noted. Mr. Asante Nketiah, regional secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers, advised the new executives to work diligently towards the growth of the association. Mr. Motey on behalf of the executives thanked members for the confidence reposed in them. He said the priority of the new executive was to get a regional secretariat for the association and advised members to contribute meaningfully towards the realisation of this goal.