The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has inaugurated a nine-member Awards Committee to vet entries for the 30th GJA Media Awards scheduled for November 7, 2026.
The Committee is chaired by Mr. Kobby Asmah, Commissioner of the National Media Commission and former Editor of the Daily Graphic.
The other members are:
– Mr. A.C. Ohene, Senior Editor, Special Assignment, Adom FM/TV, Multimedia Group;
– Mr. Richard Mensah, Editor, Citi FM/TV;
– Madam Ellen Avorgbedor, former Central Regional Director, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC);
– Mr. Christian Akorli, former Senior Editor and Head of Economics and Financial Desk, Ghana News Agency;
– Mr. Nana Kwasi Appiah, Senior Photojournalist, Information Services Department (ISD);
– Mrs. Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo, Editor, The Spectator, New Times Corporation;
– Mr. Kingsley Nsiah-Poku, former Deputy Managing Director, Atinka Media Village; and
– Mr. Awudu Mahama, Managing Editor, The Custodian Newspaper.
Inaugurating the Committee at the official launch of the awards in Accra on October 7, Mr. Dwumfour said the responsibility of the Committee is crucial to the credibility and integrity of the Awards.
“We expect its members to approach their work with fairness, independence, transparency and professionalism,” he stated.
The Committee will undertake a thorough and independent review of all submitted works and submit its report and recommendations to the National Executive of the GJA for consideration and approval of winners in three weeks.
327 Entries Received
Mr. Dwumfour announced that the Association received 327 entries from 206 journalists at the close of submissions — one of the highest in recent years.
The breakdown comprises 125 entries from online media, 111 from television, 46 from print and 45 from radio.
Two new categories have been introduced this year — the New Media Platform Awards, to promote professionalism among bloggers and new-media practitioners, and the Governor’s Economic and Financial Story of the Year Award, sponsored by the Bank of Ghana. The latter alone attracted over 10 entries despite being a maiden category.
The awards will be held under the theme: “30th GJA Media Awards: Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age.”
Mr. Dwumfour said the theme captures both the milestone and the critical challenges facing journalism, particularly hate speech and misinformation in the digital space.
He disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama, who is a member of the GJA, will be the Special Guest of Honour at the November 7 ceremony in Accra. The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Patron of the GJA, and the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, will also grace the occasion.
Condemns Attacks on Journalists
The GJA President also used the launch to condemn alleged attacks on journalists by military personnel during recent demolition exercises at Laboma Beach and La Pleasure Beach.
He cited the cases of Philip Abutiate of Bullet TV and Kweku Dennis Sika of Sika Official, and gave the Ghana Armed Forces a two-week ultimatum to provide a comprehensive report on investigations and actions taken against personnel found culpable.
“Failure by the Ghana Armed Forces to provide a satisfactory report within the two-week period will leave the GJA with no option but to escalate the matter through all appropriate legal, institutional and public accountability channels,” he warned.
Background
The GJA Media Awards, instituted in the early 1990s, remain Ghana’s most prestigious platform for recognising excellence in journalism. The 30th edition is being described as a milestone legacy edition.
The launch was attended by the Chief of Staff, Hon. Julius Debrah, Ministers of State, members of the Diplomatic Corps, corporate partners including KGL Group, and senior journalists.
Mr. Dwumfour thanked President, for tasking the GJA together with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), to lead a national dialogue to address hate speech and other ills in the media ecosystem, particularly on new media platforms.
