News
25th GJA Awards: Ghanaian Times, The Spectator wins 5 awards, 3 honours
Four reporters of the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of Ghanaian Times and The Spectator won various awards at the 25thGhana Journalists Association (GJA) awards night held on Saturday, October 24, at the Kempinski hotel in Accra.
The ceremony held under the theme, ‘COVID-19 and credible presidential and parliamentary elections: The media factor’, also saw the Editor of the Ghanaian Times, David Agbenu, recognised in the non-competitive category of the awards scheme, as an Outstanding Editor.
On the night, Raissa Sambou was adjudged the 2019 Most Promising Journalist of the Year, in addition to winning the Child Protection and Participation in the print category.
Best Sports Journalist of the Year, print category, went to John Vigah, with Clement Akapule winning Development Journalism for furthering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Also, Alberto Mario Norreti won the Best Crime and Court Reporter at the event.
Additionally, Daniel Nii Doodoo Amoo and Seth Adu Agyei, received special recognition as photojournalists.
About 67 awards were given to journalists and media houses in the country, with Newsfile host on Joy News, Samson Lardi Ayenini winning the coveted Journalist of the Year Award.
Graphic Communications Group, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Ghana News Agency, Media General, Multimedia Group, Despite Group, Atinka Media Village, Ominibus Media and other media houses across the country were among winners on the night.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA),Mr Affail Monney, said the association believed the media had a crucial role to play in ensuring credible elections at all times and that the COVID-19 pandemic must not deter the media.
“We, however, need the support of other election actors such as the Electoral Commission (EC), political parties, security agencies and civil society organisations to help us achieve credible elections in December.”
The Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC),Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, said the media has an onerous task to inform voters about the various policies and campaign promises of the political parties ahead of the elections.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
CSA urges Universities to strengthen cybersecurity following university of Nottingham cyber-attack
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has cautioned universities and other operators of Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) in Ghana to comply with cybersecurity regulations following a recent cyber-attack on the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.
In a press release issued on June 16, 2026, the Authority said the incident should serve as a warning to educational institutions that no organisation is immune to cyber threats, regardless of its size, reputation or technological capacity.
According to the CSA, the attack on the University of Nottingham is believed to have affected about 450,000 students and alumni, exposing sensitive information such as personal records, contact details, student identification information and financial data.
The Authority noted that although the breach occurred outside Ghana, it has important lessons for the country’s education sector as well as other critical sectors including health, telecommunications and transportation.
The CSA explained that Ghanaian universities are increasingly relying on digital technologies such as student information systems, online learning platforms, cloud services, digital payment systems and research collaborations.
While these technologies improve efficiency and access to services, they also create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities.
“The question is therefore not whether Ghanaian universities or other critical sectors will be attacked, but whether they are sufficiently prepared when an attack occurs,” the statement said.
The Authority reminded institutions to adhere to the Directive for the Protection of Critical Information Infrastructure, which was launched in October 2021 to strengthen cybersecurity across critical sectors.
According to the CSA, the directive requires organisations to establish cybersecurity governance structures, conduct risk assessments, implement security controls, report incidents, carry out regular audits and develop effective incident response plans.
The Authority said these measures are intended to reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber-attacks and help protect essential services and national interests.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former NPP flagbearer aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, has criticised both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the delayed completion of the Afari Military Hospital and other stalled health infrastructure projects.
Mr. Agyapong made the remarks on Tuesday after donating a pickup truck, an incubator and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the 37 Military Hospital as part of activities marking his 66th birthday.
Speaking at the event, he said successive governments had failed to complete the Afari Military Hospital despite having years in office to do so.
According to him, the project was initiated during the administration of former President John Agyekum Kufuor and construction later commenced under the NDC.
Mr. Agyapong, who previously chaired Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, said he was aware of the project’s challenges and insisted that both the NPP and NDC should be held accountable for the delays.
“We will criticise the NDC and we will criticise the NPP. That’s the only way to go,” he said.
He noted that the previous NPP administration spent eight years in office without completing the facility and questioned attempts to place the blame solely on the current government.
The former Assin Central MP called on Ghanaians to put national development ahead of partisan politics and demand accountability from all political parties.
He said the country would make greater progress if leaders focused on completing critical projects and delivering results rather than engaging in political point-scoring.
By: Jacob Aggrey
