The Northern Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has opened nominations for the 2026 Northern Regional GJA Awards in Tamale.
The Association called on journalists across the Northern, North East and Savannah Regions to uphold excellence and professionalism.
The awards are aimed at recognising outstanding journalism and encouraging reporters, editors, broadcasters and digital content creators to produce work that contributes to development in the three regions.
Practising journalists in print, radio, television and online media may submit entries published between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
Nominations will open on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, and close on Monday, August 31, 2026, with no extension to the deadline.
This year’s awards will feature categories including Education, Health, Environment, Agriculture, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Sports, Disability, Road Safety, Tourism and Culture, Energy and Electricity, and Peace and Conflict Sensitive Reporting.
Other categories include Regional Videographer or Camera Person of the Year, while the non-competitive Most Promising Female Journalist of the Year will recognise an emerging talent in the profession.
The Overall Best Journalist of the Year will be selected from among the winners in the competitive categories.
Speaking at the launch, Northern Regional GJA Chairman Yakubu Abdul Majeed said the awards are designed to celebrate excellence and inspire especially young journalists to maintain high professional standards.
The awards are being held on the theme: “Empowering the Next Generation: The Role of the Media in Digital Skills, Innovation and Youth Opportunities.”
Mr Abdul Majeed also called on media organisations to improve the working conditions of journalists, saying better welfare would help enhance professionalism in the industry.
Guest of honour, Northern Regional Minister John Ali Adolf, commended the GJA for sustaining the initiative and described it as an important platform for promoting ethical journalism and rewarding excellence.
He urged journalists to prioritise accuracy, fairness and responsible reporting, while embracing digital skills, data journalism, fact-checking and emerging technologies to help combat misinformation and strengthen public trust in the media.
Mr Adolf said the theme aligns with government’s digital transformation agenda, including the One Million Coders Programme and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
He reaffirmed the Regional Coordinating Council’s commitment to supporting the media and encouraged corporate organisations and development partners to continue backing the awards.
The launch was attended by journalists, heads of institutions, development partners, security agencies and other stakeholders.
By Nadra Mohammed
