President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has hailed the ongoing GJA elections as the "smoothest process ever."

He stated that his outfit has so far been spared any backlash over election-related challenges.

At the time he made these remarks, 78 out of 303 expected voters had already cast their ballots.

He said the previous elections had been marred by legal and logistical challenges.

“This has been the smoothest or the most smoothest process ever,” he stated.

Mr. Dwumfour, who served as GJA president from 2023 to 2025, is seeking re-election and faces a challenge from Charles Yao Mawusi, a media trainer.

A smooth and peaceful process, Mr Dwumfuor said, is what he anticipated as the current leader.

“For me, as the president and as the leader of the association, this is what I was expecting. I was expecting a smooth process. I want an election devoid of any confusion, devoid of any election malpractices, or whatever,” he added while commending the Elections Committee's partnership with the Electoral Commission for their coordination and organisation of a well-executed process.Optimistic about the outcome of the elections, he emphasised his belief in GJA ending the election smoothly, just as it had started smoothly.

“I can tell you that we are going to end this election smoothly. We are going to end it peacefully. We are going to end it successfully. There’s no going to be skirmishes. There’s no going to be irregularities. There’s no going to be friction. There’s no going to be tension,” he said.

Mr. Dwumfour assured GJA members and the public of the association’s commitment to a transparent, credible, and peaceful democratic process.

The Ghana card, voter's ID card, and Ghanaian passport are the only valid forms of identification for any electorate who seeks to cast his or her ballot.

The GJA earlier announced the successful balloting by cleared candidates who are hopeful of leading the association at different levels across the country.

Thirteen (13) national and 49 regional candidates were officially announced by the association to have been cleared to contest for their respective positions after vetting by the elections committee for the June 30 elections.

The approved candidates per the national list provided by the Elections Committee include Dwumfour Albert Kwabena and Mawusi Yao Charles, who are competing for the presidential position.

The vice president slot is being contested by Ekpe Rebecca and Mensah Mary Tawiah, while Hlordzi Dominic and Agyeman Akwasi are vying for the general secretary role.

Kudekor Maxwell and Mustapha Suleiman are standing for organizing secretary, with Badu-Agyei Bertha and Amedetor Theodora, competing for treasurer. Finally, the position of Public Affairs Officer is being contested by Ceasar Abagali and Zadok Kwame Gyesi.

However, a contender for the position of treasurer, Rufai Zambaga Saminu, the statement said, officially withdrew from the contest ahead of the balloting.

Also, at the regional level, 17 of the 49 contenders picked forms to contest for the Ashanti, Volta, Central, Upper East, Upper West, and Eastern regions.

Thirty-one (31) of the candidates are running unopposed, granting them the positions automatically as stipulated by Article 48(d)(i) of the GJA Constitution, which states: “Where at the close of nomination, only one person stands nominated, that candidate shall be declared elected by the Elections Committee.”

The regional breakdown is as follows: Domfeh Kofi Adu and Ankomah Georgina Ama are contesting for Chairperson, Osei-Wusu Nicholas for Vice Chairperson, Spio-Garbrah Beatrice for Secretary, and Parsram Neta Kris Abiana for Treasurer in the Ashanti Region.

For the Bono Region, Benneh-Siaw Regina is vying for chairperson, Peprah Kwadwo Dennis for vice chairperson, Tebra Imoro Ayibani for secretary, and Dayee Yao Daniel for treasurer.

In Bono East, Antwi Frederick is standing for chairperson, Baffoe-Adjei Dominic for Vice Chairperson, Anas Sabit for secretary, and Asante Mavis for treasurer.

Buadu Kingsley Nana and Yarboi-Tetteh David are contesting the chairperson slot in the Central Region, with Marfo Adu Gyamfi running unopposed for vice chairperson.

In the Eastern Region, the chairperson position is being contested by Neequaye Yvonne, Kanarku Neil Nii Amartey, and Ampem Darko Koranteng Stephen. Agyeman Ama Takyiwaa Ampadu is contesting for vice chairperson, while Okunor Isaac Akwetey and Afful Gloria vie for secretary. In the North East Region, Fugu Mohammed is the sole candidate for chairperson.

Yakubu Abdul-Majeed is contesting for chairperson in the Northern Region, with Futukpor Albert for secretary and Kulamon Kantam Joyce for treasurer.

In the Oti Region, Ntow Kwabena is standing for chairperson. The Tema Region has Dewornu Michael contesting for chairperson, Kyei Patricia for secretary, and Attiaka Edith Elikplim for treasurer.

In the Upper East Region, Sore Albert and Quansah Ebo-Bruce are both contesting the chairperson position. Asaah Atinga Joshua is running for vice chairperson, Adongo Apubeo Anthony for secretary, and Wegwi Raymond for treasurer.

Bomanjo Seidu Ibrahim and Kuorsoh Prosper are vying for chairperson in the Upper West Region, with Naziru Alhassan and Awudu Ivan Domassa contesting for secretary and treasurer, respectively.

In the Volta Region, Agbaxode Emmanuel and Harrison Kofi Belley are battling for the chairperson. The vice chairperson slot is being contested by Setordjie Ivy and Wedanu Jerry Hanson. Atsivor Kofi Lambert is running for secretary, while Nutsukpoe King Freeman and Kpodo Ewoenam are vying for treasurer.

Finally, in the Western Region, Cudjoe Desmond is contesting for chairperson, Mensa Agbeli Kwame for vice chairperson, Smith Joana Shirley Ewurama for secretary, and Aziz Tunde Marie for treasurer.