Three journalists from Media General, TV3 have been recognised at the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, winning honours in three different categories.
Christian Yalley won Best in Road Safety Reporting, Stanley Nii Blewu took home Best in Education Reporting, while Godwin Asediba was adjudged Best in TV Documentary.
The awards celebrate outstanding contributions to journalism and recognise practitioners whose work has made an impact across various fields.
Speaking at the ceremony, President John Dramani Mahama reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting the media’s constitutional mandate to hold public officials accountable.
He said the government would uphold the media’s watchdog role and ensure journalists can continue to perform their duties.
“Our theme for today, celebrating excellence, advancing media freedom and combating hate speech in the digital age, brings together two responsibilities. We must keep public debates open, especially when it is uncomfortable. We must work together in the spirit of civility and decorum to uphold the public interest. This government that I lead will uphold the media’s mandate to hold government to account.”
The President also announced that the 2027 national budget has made provision for GH¢10 million as seed money for the Media Development Fund.
“At the 29th GJA Media Awards, I announced the reactivation of the Media Development Fund to support journalist welfare, professional development, investigative reporting, digital literacy and safety training. And I’m pleased to announce that government has allocated in the 2027 budget 10 million Ghana cedis of seed money for the Media Fund. I shall personally work with the GJAA to get several other corporate institutions to contribute to the fund.
Meanwhile, discussions at the ceremony also focused on the working conditions of journalists, particularly efforts to secure better welfare and protection for media practitioners.
The GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwunfour in his address emphasised on better conditions of service for journalists.
“The poor economic conditions under which we, the journalists, work, poor regulations, insecure employment, inadequate conditions of service, irregular salaries and limited opportunities for professional development continue to undermine the dignity and independence of journalists.
“A journalist who strives to meet basic needs is more vulnerable to undue influence and professional compromise. Improving journalists’ welfare is therefore not simply a labour issue, it is an investment in media independence, professional integrity and equality of our democracy. It is for this reason that we have intensified engagement with parliament on the need for a legislative intervention to improve the working conditions and economic welfare of journalists.”
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin expressed his commitment in ensuring that the bill materialises.
“It is unacceptable that those who work to protect the state has to be content with poor working conditions. I am more than committed to making sure that the private members bill on the working conditions of journalists become a reality.”
He further noted that the proposed legislation, now a priority is expected to bring renewed attention to concerns surrounding journalists’ welfare, remuneration and professional security.
A total of 32 awards were presented across the various competitive categories with Philip Osei Bonsu, host of Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen winning the overall Journalist of the Year (PAV Ansah Award).
Eight prominent personalities were also recognised for their contributions to national development.
TV3’s Ibrahim Abubakari Wangara bags double at Upper West GJA awards, takes career tally to four
