News
Nominations open for 2023 Ladies in Media Awards in Africa
Mrs Diana Hopeson presents an award to Lali and Lola
The Ladies in Media Organisation has opened nominations for the 2023 edition of its flagship Ladies in Media Awards in Africa.
The awards celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of women in the media industry across the African continent and stand as a beacon of recognition, honouring trailblazers, and empowering visionaries who have made exceptional strides in their respective fields in media.
The President of the organization, Ms Akua Barden, told The Spectator that the event also seeks to recognise and honour the outstanding efforts of women who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and resilience in shaping the landscape of media in Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, Togo, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and beyond.
It would award individuals in the field of journalism and broadcasting to digital media, content creation, and leadership roles.
The categories include African Female News Anchor of The Year – TV, African Female News Anchor of The Year – Radio, African Female Entertainment Show Host of The Year – TV, African Female Entertainment Show Host of the Year – Radio, African Female Sports Media Personality of the Year, African Female Reporter of the Year and African Female Digital Media Influencer of the Year.
Others are African Female Author of the Year, African Female Journalist of the Year, African Female Voice Over Artiste of the Year, Outstanding African Female Musician of the Year, African Female Producer of the Year and Outstanding African Female Actress of the Year.
The rest are African Female Film Director of the Year, African Female Camera Operator of the Year, African Female Humanitarian of the Year, African Female Print Journalist of the Year, New Female Artiste of the Year and The Purple Award – (Female C.E.O/ Leader in Media).
A statement by the organisation urged interested individuals to visit its official website www.ladiesinmedia. org to access the nomination form, adding that all nominations must include detailed information about the nominee’s achievements and contributions in their respective fields.
The deadline for nominations is December 20.
“The Ladies in Media Awards are not only about honouring achievements but also about inspiring the next generation of women in media. By celebrating the accomplishments of trailblazers, these awards serve as a catalyst for empowerment, encouraging aspiring talents to pursue their dreams fearlessly,” the statement said.
By Andrew Nortey
For the first time in its seven-year history, the celebrated Guinea Fowl Bazaar has been brought to Accra, marking a significant expansion of an event that has, for the past six years, been a staple in Tamale.
The two-day cultural and culinary festival, held from May 1–2, drew over 500 patrons and featured nearly 20 vendors, to promote Northern Ghana’s rich food culture particularly guinea fowl delicacies.
Hosted by By Faith Catering Services, the bazaar brought together traditional leaders, cultural groups, food entrepreneurs, and government representatives in a display of heritage and enterprise.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Angelo Dogbe, the Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority underscored the importance of promoting indigenous cuisine as a tool for economic development and cultural preservation. Chiefs from the Northern Region also graced the occasion, lending traditional authority and reinforcing the cultural significance of the festival.
A major highlight of the bazaar was a series of captivating cultural performances representing the diverse tribes of the Northern Region. Attendees were treated to traditional music, dance, and attire, transforming the venue into a lively tapestry of Northern identity and pride.
Vendors expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to showcase their products to a new audience in the capital. Many noted increased visibility, networking opportunities, and strong sales throughout the two-day event.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of By Faith Catering Services, Mrs. Matilda Zenabu Pipio described the Accra edition as a strategic move to broaden the reach of the festival and create new economic pathways for vendors and producers from the north.
She announced plans to make the Accra bazaar an annual event, emphasizing its potential to boost employment, promote guinea fowl production, and introduce more Ghanaians to the unique flavours of Northern cuisine.
She said, the event is a platform for cultural exchange, economic empowerment, and national unity through food.
She commended partners and called on more organisers to support and invest in initiatives like this.
Meanwhile, the organizers of Guinea fowl Bazaar paid a courtesy call to the Editor of Spectator, Mrs. Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo and Mr. David Adadevoh, Acting Editor of The Ghanaian Times.
Both editors lauded the initiatives and encouraged the organizers to sustain it.
Organizers for the initiative and called on stakeholders and cooperate bodies to support this good course.
By Geoffrey Buta.
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fueling interest in STEM and digital innovation.
Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda.
They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres.
The students gained first-hand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily – offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.”
Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning.
‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.”
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.”
As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
