For the second consecutive year, the Northern Region chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has launched the 2023 Awards Scheme in Tamale. The event is scheduled to take place on October 7, 2023.
The competition is opened to all practicing Journalists in the Northern, North East and Savannah Regions working in the electronic (Radio and Television) and the Print Media who have distinguished themselves in their line of reportage in the year under review.
The GJA Northern Region Chairman, Mr. Abdul Majeed Yakubu, in his remarks said the theme for this year’s Awards Event is “Promoting Responsible Behaviour to protect Environment: The Role of Media.’’
He said the theme has become necessary considering the polarized environment which endangers the safety and security of Journalists in the country.
“By so doing, we would not only be creating and sustaining peace and unity in the North but rather the whole country. I will like to entreat colleagues here to use our platforms to promote unity, encourage moral uprightness and social cohesion.
“I want also to charge colleagues in the region to make your medium and space available for healthy debates on issues of national importance with the view to foster unity, development and progress” he stressed.
The Chairman said the media plays an important role in building a better society, adding there is therefore an urgent need for Journalists particularly those in the North to frequently update their skills and knowledge in order to live up to our responsibilities fully.
Meanwhile, a three-member awards committee has been put together comprising Mr. Iliasu Adam from Minerals Commission, as Chairman, Dr. Ilias Mumuni, UDS faculty of Communication, and Nii Odenkey Abbey Communications Manager.
These season personalities with diverse expertise in their various fields of endeavors are tasked to oversee the process in free, fair and transparent manner.
Mr. Majeed expressed confidence that the committee will do proper and diligently work and the best candidates would be adjudged winners at the end of the process.
“We have confident that the team will do a diligent job. I want use this occasion to commend all partners for your unceasing support to us, I will like to appeal you to continue to offer us the needed assistance to organize a successful award.”
Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Shani Alhassan Shaibu, has underscored the significance of the awards scheme, saying it has not only generated a positive momentum in motivating Journalists to put up their best, but it has also galvanized the Association in terms of member solidarity and projecting the best image.
“Reward for hard work is obviously a great recognition and any institution desirous of progress must uphold this at all times” he emphasized.
The Regional Minister further commended the GJA leadership for the initiative and indicated “another important aspect of this annual event is that you have always carefully selected very topical issues as theme.”
Below are the full categories for entries
- Environmental Reporting
- Development Journalism in Furthering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH),
- Education
- Mental Health
- Tourism and Culture
- Disability
- Sports Reporting
- Agriculture
- Road Safety
- Peace and Conflict Sensitive Reporting
- The Regional Journalist of the Year (to be selected from the winners)
