Special topics
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on Monday received a second batch of sponsorship packages for this year’s GJA awards.
Three institutions, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and Penplusbyte, each presented a cheque for GH¢ 3,000.
The awards ceremony, which is on the theme, “Giving impetus to Democracy and Development: The Role of Investigative Journalism,” is aimed at deepening the ethical responsibility of the media to enhance development in journalism for national development.
This year’s ceremony has six new awards in the areas of Agriculture, Science, Oil and Gas, Anti-narcotics, Social Security and Water. This will bring the total of competitive awards to 50.
Mr Roland Affail Monnie, Vice President of the GJA, said the awards should be seen as part of the overall efforts by the Association in the promotion of high journalistic standards as well as a barometer for measuring, periodically, the performance of the Ghanaian media and journalists in particular.
He called on the media to investigate rumours and help to reduce political tension through the practice of professional journalism for development.
He appealed to media houses to invest in investigative journalism and thanked donors for their effort to enhance media development.
Nana Yaa Jantuah, Director of Public Relations and External Affairs of PURC, said the body was sponsoring an award for Best Parliamentary Reporting because it was the pillar of the nation’s democracy.
She advised the public to pay their bills and avoid any illegal connection.
Mr Lord Koramoa, Marketing Manager of ADB, commended GJA for its efforts in raising the standard of journalism.
He said television reporting was essential, hence their involvement in sponsoring the Best Television Reporter segment.
Mr Jeremiah Sam, Representative of Penplusbyte said his outfit would be sponsoring the Best Oil and Gas Reporter to get journalists active in the oil and gas sector.
He expressed the hope that the award would bring more quality news on oil and gas and its impact on the environment.
