- Edward Adeti Wins Best Journalist of the Year at 28th GJA Awards
Journalist Without Borders Reporter Edward Adeti has been adjudged the GJA Best Journalist of the year.
He beat 32 contenders for the coveted prize to emerge the winner.
Edward Adeti goes home with a lot of goodies including laptop and a cash prize among other packages.
Receiving the Award, he thanked the GJA for the honour done him reaffirming his commitment to do development journalism.
The awards was graced by President Akufo Addo and noble personalities including Spanish and German Ambassadors, Executive Chairman of KGL Group, Mr. Alex Apau Dadey, Information Minister, Fatimatu Abubakar, EOCO boss Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo Danquah among others.
The 28th GJA Awards was chaired by Naa Edmund Delle Chiir VIII who is paramount Chief of Nandom Traditional area whilst the Key note speaker was Prof Umaru A. Pate, Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Kashere, Gombe state-Nigeria.
Meanwhile the GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour delivered a stunning speech touching on galamsey and arrest of Democracy hub demonstrations whilst also calling on the President to declare a state of emergency on galamsey and water bodies.
Below is his full statement.
SPEECH DELIVERED BY GJA PRESIDENT ALBERT DWUMFOUR AT THE 28TH GJA MEDIA AWARDS HELD AT THE ACCRA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTER ON 28TH SEPTEMBER 2024
The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
The Vice President, H. E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Former Vice President, HE John Dramani Mahama
Naa Professor Edmund Nyminyem Delle, Paramount Chief of Nandom Traditional area, Chairman for Today’s occasion
The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, Professor Umaru Pate
The Minister for National Security, Hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah
The Minister of Information, Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar
All Ministers of State and Members of Parliament here present
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani
The NMC Chairman, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh
The Group Chairman of the KGL Group, Mr. Alex Dadey
My Abled National Executive
Members of The National Council
Esteemed Guests
Corporate Partners
Heads of Media Institutions
Colleague Journalists
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the National Executive and National Council, I welcome you all to the 28th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards.
Naa Chairman, today marks a significant milestone in the history of our noble profession. We gather to celebrate 75 years of dedicated service to the nation, promoting truth, accuracy, and fairness in journalism. The Ghana Journalists Association has been the beacon of excellence, guiding journalists to uphold the highest standards.
Over the decades, our association has played critical roles in shaping Ghana’s narrative, holding leaders accountable, and amplifying the voices of the marginalized. We have weathered socio-political storms, faced industry challenges, and persevered.
The Ghana Journalists Association has been at the forefront of promoting media literacy, capacity building, and ethical journalism practices. We will continue to support training programs, workshops, and conferences that enhance our members’ skills.
Naa Chairman, tonight we pay tribute to our forebears who fought tirelessly for press freedom and independence. Their legacy inspires us to continue advocating for a free and vibrant media.
History
The GJA has come a long way as we celebrate the 75th birthday of our noble association. GJA was established by Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah on August 15, 1949, as the largest umbrella body to champion media freedom, the welfare of media practitioners, and, more importantly, the country’s development agenda. Initially christened “Africa Press Association” (APA), the association has since transitioned through different identities, such as the “Ghana Press Club” and “Association of Journalists and Writers,” to its present name, the GJA.
Naa Chairman, as I stated during our last commemorative lecture, it is important to note that a number of the “nationalist leaders” were journalists who used the power of the pen to propagate their ideas and vision of independence for the then-Gold Coast and indeed they succeeded.
Homage to forebearers and trailblazers.
On this historic day, we honor our forefathers for their sacrifices in laying the sturdy foundation on which we stand today. We remember Martin Therson-Cofie, Sam Arthur, Fraser Ofori-Atta, G. A. Dentu, Kwame Gyewu-Kyem, T. B. Ottie, Cecil Forde, and Henry Ofori, who served as leaders during the association’s formative and most arduous years. In recent memory, we also honor Edwin Tengey, Edward Ameyibor, Kabral Blay-Amihere, Gifty Affenyi Dadzie, Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, Nana Kwaku Dei (aka Ransford Tetteh), Affail Monney, Bright Blewu, and Godwin Avenorgbo for their leadership roles in bringing us this far.
It is important to step beyond executive proximity and embrace some other individuals whose contributions to the development and growth of the GJA have been rather enormous. In this regard, we honor the likes of former president John Agyekum Kufuor, Sir Sam Jonah, Kwasi Afriyie-Badu, Peter Agbeko, Marian Kyei, the late Dr. Doris Dartey, Kwako Baako Jr., Kwesi Pratt Jr., and Charles Wereko Brobbey. These names are by no means exhaustive of the list of trailblazers we desire to honor today.
Election 2024
Naa Chairman, the theme for today’s event, “75 Years of Excellence in Journalism: The Role of the Media in Democratic Governance and Elections,” is right on point considering the times we are in now. The theme reflects the important role of the media in elections and democratic consolidation. Therefore, we expect the media to act responsibly by providing objective, balanced, and transparent coverage before, during, and following the December elections. We should endeavor to hold the nation together even as we provide platforms for the expression of divergent views and dissenting opinions.
Media Freedoms
As we inch closer to the 2024 elections, I call on various political actors to desist from attacking media houses and journalists who are simply doing their work. In recent times, Ghana’s ranking on the World Press Freedom Index has been declining, primarily due to attacks on the media by high-profile personalities and political parties. We thank God the situation is improving following stringent measures including a media blacklist of perpetrators.
Ahead of the elections, the GJA warns against media abuse. If you feel offended by a media report or publication, there are appropriate ways and mechanisms available. Let’s exhaust all these avenues instead of using brute force to silence the media.
Attacks on journalists do not only harm individuals but also undermine the fundamental right to free expression and access to information.
Physical assaults, verbal abuse, cyberbullying, and harassment silence journalists, stifle investigative reporting and compromise our democracy.
The attacks create a chilling effect and self-censorship, leading to a situation where critical stories go untold, corruption flourishes, and the public remains uninformed.
The media will do its best to ensure and promote free, fair, and transparent elections to deepen our democracy.
The media need to give voice to diverse perspectives, collaborate with other media outlets to promote peaceful elections, and above all, hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of journalism.
The GJA believes that together we can make a difference and ensure that our elections are free from violence, intimidation, and manipulation.
We have organized capacity-building seminars for selected journalists and media houses across the country to equip them to cover the upcoming elections In the coming weeks, we will be touring some flashpoints within the country to engage journalists on safety and excellent reportage.
Welfare of Journalists
Let me also commend Speaker of Parliament, Right Honourable Alban Bagbin for his bold public support for the protection of the media and the promotion of the welfare of journalists..
Given the current economic hardships, it is a well-known fact that journalists and media practitioners are among the lowest-paid professionals in this country. I want to take this opportunity to plead with the Government and the Information to champion the financial well-being of journalists and resource the state-owned media, including GNA and GBC, to deliver well on their mandate.
This will also encourage private media owners to do the same.
This is crucial because, as former US President Barack Obama stated during his visit to Ghana, strong institutions, not strong individuals, are responsible for developing nations and ensuring accountability.
Galamsey
Naa Chairman, illegal mining, commonly referred to as Galamsey, is currently a topical issue in the country due to its devastating effects on the environment, particularly our water bodies, which serve as major sources of drinking water. My government welcomes all stakeholders in the country who have condemned these devilish acts and are calling for urgent steps to tackle the issue head-on.
Galamsey has wreaked havoc on our environment and all our water bodies. As a Ghanaian, it saddens me to see once-clean bodies of water turn a dark brown color. This is shameful, and we must all, as Ghanaians, wage a war against galamsey.
It will be recalled that a few weeks ago, the GJA organized a press conference to call for an end to Galamsey in cooperation with the Coalition of Media Against Galamsey and civil society organizations.
There should be strict enforcement of all mining laws and regulations without any concessions, as well as the imposition of maximum sentences on offenders. This is a reliable approach to addressing this issue.
We are aware that some time ago, Mr. President made a firm vow to stop galamsey, but regrettably, that promise has not been fulfilled. Mr. President, you have barely three months until the end of the administration, and we are hopeful that you will deal with the situation before you leave office.
Naa chairman, we still maintain that a state of emergency must be declared over our water bodies and all planned and active mining concessions overlapping with river buffers should be abrogated and all mining activities within 50 meters buffer of all rivers and streams should be halted with immediate effect. We also reiterate that LI 2462 should be repealed immediately.
Let me also use this opportunity to implore the two leading presidential candidates to make a firm commitment to the fight against Galamsey so we can hold them accountable when any of them assume office in 2025.
I urge the media to prefix all of their stories with # STOP GALAMSEY NOW!
We are also not stopping until Galamsey stops.
Galamsey Protestesters
Naa Chairman, I want to commend the Ghana Police Service for exhibiting a high level of professionalism and restraint during the recent three-day protest against Galamsey by some individuals. We note some excesses and provocations that occurred during the demonstration, and the GJA condemns these excesses.
However, we also believe that remanding the protesters for two weeks is too extreme and does not send positive signals when it comes to protecting human rights. As a result, we add our voice to calls on the government, police, and the judiciary to take steps to release the protestors immediately.
Awards
Naa Chairman, I want to take this opportunity to commend our hard-working men and women who will be picking awards tonight. Your outstanding work embodies the spirit of excellence that our association upholds.
Your commitment to storytelling, investigative reporting, and media innovation inspires us all.
You deserve recognition and honor for your diverse contributions to the country’s development over the past years. You put your lives and jobs on the line to highlight or bring to the forefront the nefarious activities of nation-wreckers; others also highlighted the plight of the vulnerable in society to get the needed attention.
These awards will encourage them and others to do more for Mother Ghana.
Let me thank the members of two committees: the 75th Anniversary Planning Committee, chaired by Mr. Kobby Asmah, and the 28th GJA Media Awards Committee, led by George-Ramsey Benamba, for their contributions to the success of today’s event. We thank you for availing yourselves of such a worthy cause.
Naa Chairman, we are enjoined to give praise where praise is due. To this end, the GJA National Executive is eternally grateful to our loyal partners and sponsors, including National Security, KGL, Ghana Gas, NPA, GNPC, MTN, Stanbic Bank, EOCO, Ghana Link, Ghana Shippers Authority, SSNIT, ADB, Wisconsin, GBC, Innolink, and all media houses.
As we climax activities to mark the Diamond Jubilee, it is important to pay tribute to all colleagues who passed on recently, especially the Grandmaster Godwin Avenorgbo, who was the Chairman of the 75th Anniversary Planning Committee before his demise.
Shall we rise to observe a minute of silence in their honor?
May the souls of our gallant soldiers rest in perfect peace.
Naa Chairman, I want to seek your permission to invite the Children of the late Avernogbo and representatives of Melcom Group to join me here.
We are pleased with the Melcom Group of Companies offer to sponsor a category of the GJA Media Awards in honor of Godwin Avenorgbo. Knowing his love for tradition and culture, and after conferring with the management of Melcom and his family, we have decided to name that awards category in his honor the Godwin Avenorgbo Best Reporter for Arts & Entertainment. That category will be on the awards list for next year. We express our gratitude to Melcom for their sponsorship and the honor bestowed upon The Grandmaster.
Naa Chairman, Just yesterday, the GJA held a successful Emergency General Meeting (EGM) after a very long time. We passed important resolutions and will issue a statement to that effect in the coming days. I want to commend all GJA members who attended the EGM.
Naa Chairman, once again, it is a privilege to have you all celebrate our 28th media awards as well as climax our 75th anniversary. Your presence here demonstrates your unwavering support for the media fraternity.
Thank you very much and God Bless us all.
Long Live GJA!
Long Live Ghana!
Source:newsflashafrica.com
