For many workers, gaining recognition and celebrated in their line of work at a particular time is one crucial thing that motivates them to give even more of themselves.
It is against this backdrop that the Upper West Region’s chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association organized its maiden Awards night Saturday night, September 7, to celebrate its hardworking members that distingued themselves in their professional practice in 2023.
Themed, “Sustaining Ghana’s Democracy before, during and after the 2024 General Elections: The Role of Peace Journalism,” The event brought together stakeholders including traditional leaders, representatives from political parties, security services, CSOs, NGOs and the media.
The ever rising, enterprising journalist with Media General known for his strict adherence to the ethics of the journalism – Ibrahim Wangara – won to his name, Best Reporter of the year on Excellence in Rural Reporting courtesy, his “Ejected alleged witch cries for help” story.
It must be said that rural reportage is one crucial element that contributes immensely in bringing the challenges of the rural folk to the fore which would otherwise gone unnoticed for attention.
His tourism piece dubbed, “Spotlight on Wechiau community Hippo Sanctuary” also made him Best Tourism Journalist of the year.
Noted for his relentless dedication to professional practice and best practices, the Invisible Journalist, as he is also known among his peers in the industry, these awards will in no doubt serve as a catalyst and a challenge launching pad to propel him to arise above himself to cough up more to greater heights.
Other awardees who were also recognised at the awards night include:
Philip Tengzu, from GNA, who was adjudged the best reporter in both the Climate and Agric categories for the year whereas Lydia Darlington Fordjour of Ghanaian Times, emerged best reporter of the year also for two categories – Human Rights and Education.
Rafiq Salam of Joy News who bagged the best reporter of the year on Health, was also crowned the Overall Upper West Best Journalist of the year.
Two veterans in the region also received honorary awards in the form of citations for their contributions to the noble profession in the region.
They are: Bajin D. Pobia, a retired veteran journalist from Ghana News Agency (GNA) alongside Ivan Domasaa, former Programs Coordinator at Radio Progress, a Wa-based community radio station, the first to be established in the region.
Prof. Africanus Lewil Diedong,
Professor of Social Communications, Department of Communication at the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS), who was the Guest Speaker in his insightful key note address, charged journos to:
“As regards peace journalism, I would like to associate myself with what Pope Paul VI said: ‘If you want peace, work for justice.’ A journalist answers to an even stronger value, truth. These three values – peace, justice and truth are intimately linked, but we all know that telling the truth does not always produce peace in the short-term.”
“But stay the cause particularly in the lead up to the general elections when some political elites and their associates – business tycoons would overtly or covertly influence you to cave in or cower. Be fearless and act with integrity in the pursuit of peace journalism. Let me point out that peace without justice, peace without truth, will never last. Your commitment would be a positive testament to witnessing to SDG goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.”
The Professor also cautioned that: “The media needs to take note that anytime it fails to conduct its business in a professional and responsible manner, the state can intervene to sanitise the media ecology in the public interest, justifying such external pressures with the limitations on rights and freedoms in article 164 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.”
President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, in a speech read for him, while cautioning journalists to uphold the professional tenets of the noble profession as Ghana goes to the polls in December, also charged them to guard against misinformation and disinformation that are replete on social media today.
“With the advent of social media where all manner of hate-speech, disinformation, misinformation, and polarizing narratives are churned out, it is the duty of all of us to take deliberate steps to avoid polarizing narratives and weaponization of social media.”
“As we approach the elections, professionalism and ethical standards must be priority to all of us as the freedom of the media would be meaningless if our actions and inactions drive our dear country into chaos,” President of Ghana Journalists Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has said.
The Upper West Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Sualah Abdul-Wahab, through his Vice – Mr. Seidu Bomanjo – called for improvement in the registration process of potential members as that has the potential to pave way for more qualified journalists in the region to sign onto the association.
Story by: Ilyaas AI-hassan//TungsungRadio
