Wa, September 4, 2024, Tungsung – The Ghana journalists Association (GJA) in the upper west region in collaboration with Feed the Future Ghana Policy LINK is set to award eight (8) journalists In its maiden media awards night scheduled on September 7,2024 in Wa.
This maiden awards night, whose period of reference is the 2023 year follows the successful commemoration of the 2024 edition of world press Freedom day by the upper west GJA in Wa.
Lead sponsor, Policy LINK Ghana is a five-year gobal Feed the Future program, led by USAID, with the objective of fostering behavior change that strengthens the capacity and ability of stakeholders to participate in a more transparent, inclusive, and evidence-based agriculture policy process.
Policy LINK supports actors involved in the food security policy process to strengthen their use of evidence, collaboration and facilitates the inclusin of women, youth and persons with disabilities, in the process to improve food and nutrition outcomes and broad-based economic growth.
The event, which is aimed at celebrating journalism excellence in the upper west region, is dubbed, sustaining Ghana’s democracy before, during and after the 2024 general elections, the role of peace journalism.
In a media release that was signed by the regional GJA Secretary Prosper Kuorsor, Upper West Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has release the list of award nominees for the 1st edition of the annual awards scheme.
According to the press release, The nominees span across eight (8) categories including the ultimate winner, the Upper West GJA Journalist of the Year, 2023.
It indicated that a three-member committee of veteran journalists scrutinized over 20 entries before settling on the eight (8) winners including the overall best journalist.
Key areas such as captivating headlines, good intros, multiple sourcing and interviews, coherent presentations, verified facts and data references, excellent language, and balanced work were considered before selecting the winning entries.
“The committee however, bemoaned the quality of majority of the entries and hopes that next year entries will see a greater improvement in the quality of the stories submitted for the awards”. The committee regretted.
The shortlisted nominees comprised Mr. Philip Tengzu, Ghana News Agency; Ms. Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Ghanaian Times; Mr. Ibrahim Wangara, TV3; and Rafiq Salam, Joy News. Two veteran journalists will also receive awards for their contributions towards journalism and development of the region in particular.
As an integral stakeholder, the upper west regional minister Stephen yakubu is respectfully designated as the special guest of honor for the event.
Professor Prof. Africanus Lewil Diego the Dean of FIDS at SDD-UBIDS is also expected to deliver a keynote address on the night.
The upper west GJA is again expecting his Royal majesty, Naa Prof. Edmund Nminnyem Delle Chiir VIII, Paramount Chief of Nandom Traditional Area to chair the awards night.
Among stakeholders that are expected to attend the event include the media, members of the academia, governmental department and agencies, the business community and civil society organizations (CSOs).
The rest are non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the clergy, traditional leaders and security agencies among others.
The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday September 7, 2024 at the Dellagio Hotel in Wa.
