Organisers of the 2026 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Western Region/Western North Region Media Awards have received 89 submissions across ten competitive categories.
The submissions, received ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for September 2026, reflect strong interest in the GJA’s efforts to recognise journalism that informs, educates and contributes to development across the Western and Western North Regions.
Mining & Environmental Sustainability recorded the highest number of entries with 24 submissions, followed by Infrastructure & Development with 14. Education received 10 submissions, while Fisheries and Gender & Social Inclusion recorded eight each. Health and Business & Labour Affairs attracted seven submissions apiece, with Crime & Legal Affairs receiving six. Cocoa & Agric Affairs recorded four submissions, while Oil & Gas attracted one entry.
Online journalism dominates
Online journalism accounted for the largest share of submissions across the four media formats, recording 47 entries. Television followed with 27 submissions, while Print received 10 and Radio recorded five.
The figures underline the growing prominence of digital journalism in the region, while also demonstrating continued participation from traditional broadcast and print media.
The GJA Media Awards seek to celebrate journalists and media houses whose work contributes significantly to informing, educating and empowering communities, while promoting transparency, accountability and sustainable development.
The awards cover key areas of public interest, including infrastructure, fisheries, agriculture, oil and gas, environmental sustainability, education, health, crime and legal affairs, gender and social inclusion, and business and labour.
The 2026 awards will consider published works from 2024 to 2026, with entries assessed based on their relevance to the respective categories and their contribution to public discourse and development.
The Corporate Social Impact (CSI) Awards, which form part of the broader awards initiative, will also recognise corporate institutions whose social investments have delivered measurable and sustainable benefits to communities across the Western Region.
The CSI categories include Community Impact of the Year, Environmental Stewardship Excellence, Social Investment Program of the Year, Partnership for Development, Local Content & Employment Champion, and the flagship Corporate Social Impact of the Year.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in September 2026 at the Western Serene Atlantic Hotel in Takoradi, where outstanding journalists and corporate organisations will be recognised for their contributions to the socio-economic development of the region.
By Eric Yaw Adjei
