News
GJA climaxes celebration with 28th Awards ceremony
GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour delivering his address
Journalists across the length and breadth of the country on Saturday celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) with its famous awards to honour deserving practitioners for the year 2023.
This year’s awards marked the 28th edition and attracted high profile guests including the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Also in attendance were media professionals, government officials, the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Charles Abani, and the Chairman of the National Media Commission, Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh.
This year’s theme, “75 Years of Excellence in Journalism: The Role of the Media in Democratic Governance and Elections,” highlighted the essential role of the press in promoting accountability, transparency, and informed decision-making among the public, especially during election cycles.
Edward Adeti of ‘Reporters Without Borders’ fame was named the 2023 Paul Archibald Vianney (PAV) Ansah Journalist of the Year for his investigative piece,“Stealing from the Sick.”
His documentary exposed systemic drug shortages at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital.
Jonathan Donkor and Benedicta Gyimah Folley from The Ghanain Times displaying their awards. Photos; Stephanie Birikorang
Other recipients included Jonathan Donkor and Benedicta Gyimaah Folley of The Ghanaian Times, as Road Safety Journalist of the Year for his impactful feature on the dangers of defective vehicle tires, and Gender Journalist of the Year for her piece on the persecution of women accused of witchcraft respectively.
Other winners were Beatrice Senadju from GBC, who took home Female Journalist of the Year, and Edward Acquah of the Ghana News Agency, who was awarded Komla Dumor Most Promising Journalist of the Year. The Fourth Estate’s Seth J. Bokpe also continued his winning streak by claiming Best Reporter in Democracy and Good Governance for the third year running.
The president urged the media to tackle the growing challenge of disinformation as the nation approaches the 2024 general elections
By Stephanie Birikorang
News
Steps underway to repeal L.I 2462 – Prez assures
President John Dramani Mahama has assured Ghanaians that steps are underway to repeal Legislative Instrument 2462 as part of efforts to protect the country’s forests and water bodies.
During his media encounter at the Jubilee House, the president explained that the repeal will formalise the ban on mining in forest reserves and strengthen enforcement against illegal mining.
He stressed that his administration is committed to safeguarding the environment, reclaiming degraded reserves, and deploying more personnel to protect river bodies across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
9 forest reserves recovered from illegal mining – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has announced the recovery of nine forest reserves from illegal mining under his government’s intensified environmental protection drive.
Addressing journalists at the Jubilee House, the president explained that hundreds of excavators, water pumps and other equipment have been seized as part of the operation, while degraded areas are being reclaimed and restored.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to end mining in protected areas, deploy more personnel to safeguard river bodies and strengthen laws to secure Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.
This notwithstanding, President Mahama revealed that two of the retrieved forest reserves had gone back into the hands of illegal miners, however, adequate measures have been put in place to reclaim them.
By: Jacob Aggrey
