President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on journalists and media organisations to be diligent in their coverage of the electoral process to ensure that the peace of the country remains intact.

He stressed that given the crucial role the media played in the dissemination of relevant information for the consolidation of the country's democracy, it was important for journalists to ensure that no space was left for disinformation, misinformation and falsehood ahead of the December 7 polls.

Speaking at the 28th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards ceremony in Accra last Saturday night, President Akufo-Addo stressed that the crucial nature of the upcoming elections was a call to duty for the media to strictly adhere to ethical journalism that thrived on factual reportage.

"The stakes are high and your role as media has never been more crucial than now," the President said, urging journalists to be accurate, balanced and professional in their reportage.

Awards ceremony

The GJA awards, which also climaxed the 75th anniversary celebration of the association, was on the theme: “75 Years of Excellence in Journalism: The Role of the Media in Democratic Governance and Elections”. 

It brought together stalwarts in the media industry, including past and present presidents of the GJA, the Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar; the United Nations (UN) Resident Representative to Ghana, Charles Abani; the Paramount Chief of Nandom Traditional Area, Naa Professor Edmund Nminyem Delle Chiir; the Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh; the Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, and other dignitaries.

At the ceremony, 32 journalists and media organisations that excelled in their work in 2023 were presented with awards in various categories.

Media's role

"The story of Ghana’s democracy is incomplete without the contribution of the media. You have been there in moments of triumph and trial, standing as pillars of truth and integrity," he said.

He said it was refreshing that despite the avalanche of turbulent turfs, journalists had stood their ground and played a crucial role in national development.

The President added that the media was the lifeblood of the independence struggle and remained a strong force for mobilisation of relevant stakeholders for national development.

The President said the media was also a key force in the fight against corruption, ensuring human rights, and shedding the light on darkness in governance.

However, he said, the power of the media came with the responsibility to be professional, accurate, balanced and firm.

President Akufo-Addo said the freedom of the media was essential to the health of the country's democracy, for which reason his government remained committed to supporting the fourth estate to thrive.

He said it was in recognition of the critical role the media played in national development that the government he led ensured the passage of the Right to Information Law (RTL).

"I remain committed to ensuring media freedom as I have always been," he stressed.

Deal with galamsey

For his part, the President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, called on the President to take bold steps to deal with the illegal mining menace before he leaves office. 

“We are aware that some time ago, Mr President, the father of the nation, made a firm promise to stop galamsey, but regrettably that promise has not been fulfilled. 

“It is barely three months before you leave office and we are hopeful that you will deal with this problem before the end of your administration,” Mr Dwumfour stated. 

The GJA President stressed that the association was committed to collaborating with the Media Coalition Against Galamsey and other civil society organisations (CSOs) to exert pressure on the government to tackle the galamsey menace head-on.

"We are staying put to our resolve to push for the fight against illegal mining. Media houses should prefix their stories with the hashtag #StopGalamseyNow. We will stand up and ensure that we save our environment," he stressed.

Mr Dwumfour added that what the GJA and other partners wanted was a total ban on galamsey as well as a state of emergency over the menace.

Again, the coalition was resolute in its demand for the repeal of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, 2022 (L.I. 2462) to protect the country's forest reserves.

The GJA President also called on the government to take immediate steps to release the Democracy Hub protesters, who were currently being held in police custody for engaging in some excesses during their demonstration on illegal mining, among others.

While acknowledging that there were excesses during the demonstration, he said, remanding them for two weeks was extreme and did not augur well for human rights. 

Naa Prof. Delle Chiir, who chaired the occasion, said given that journalism was the lifeblood of the country's democracy, everything must be done to stamp out violence against journalists.

He said the country's decline on press freedom index was largely due to violence against journalists, "and that must be stopped if we want to make progress."

Naa Prof. Delle Chiir, a dermatologist and Chief Executive Officer of Rabito Clinic,  described as worrying the remuneration regimes for journalists in the country.

The traditional ruler said because journalists were underpaid, they could not operate well, adding that the poor salaries of journalists contributed significantly to the falling journalistic standards.

"Some newsrooms have been turned into extensions of public relations because of the bad conditions," he said.
Naa Prof. Delle urged journalists to resist being used as a tool to disturb the December 7 elections.

Strive for excellence

For his part, Mr Abani urged journalists to strive for excellence and never settle for less.

He stressed that the quest to excel against all odds must be the mindset of journalists if they wanted to make a mark in national development.

Mr Abani described the theme for the awards ceremony as apt because the media played a crucial role in the consolidation of democracy.

He said the media would be central to the promotion of peace and unity, holding all of society together for a united country before, during and after the elections.

Again, Mr Abani said the principles of probity, transparency and accountability had been a hallmark of the media and must be sustained.

"We need quality journalism that will check power, inform voters on their rights to vote. Use your platforms to facilitate and participate in democracy," he said.

He urged the media to resort to accuracy, fact-checking and professionalism in election coverage.

Journalists of the Year

A journalist with Media Without Borders, Edward Adeti, was named the P. A. V. Ansah Journalist of the Year at the 28th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards.

Beatrice Senadju of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) was adjudged the Female Journalist of the Year.

Mr Adeti was rewarded for his remarkable contributions to journalism, particularly in investigative reporting. 

In his acceptance speech, he expressed gratitude to the GJA and his colleagues for the opportunity and honour.

Mr Adeti dedicated the award to all journalists who continued to fight for truth and justice despite the challenges and risks involved in their work.

He reaffirmed his commitment to using his platform to hold power to account and advocate transparency in governance.

Other winners

The night was filled with glamour and excitement as outstanding journalists were honoured for their exceptional work. 

The prestigious awards ceremony recognised the tireless efforts of media professionals who have made significant contributions to Ghana's journalism landscape, with Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL) journalists featuring prominently.

Edmund Smith-Asante picked double awards, Columnist of the Year and Domestic Tourism Reporter of the Year, with his colleagues Kester Aburam Korankye being awarded with the Best Feature (Print) award, demonstrating his mastery of in-depth storytelling; Timothy Ngnenbe taking home the Print News Reporter of the Year award, Emmanuel Bruce, excelled in Business and Finance reporting, with Delali Sika, lifting the Arts and Culture category.

Other award winners included Doreen Ampofo of GBC for Best Documentary (Radio); Naa Dede Akrong of GBC Obonu, Best Radio show in Ghanaian language; Ridwan Kareem Deen Osuman of EIB Network, Best Radio News Reporter; Godwin Asediba of Media General and David Andoh of Multimedia were acknowledged. 

Erastus Asare Donkor of Multimedia picked up the Illegal Mining Reporter of the Year; Stanley Nii Blewu of Media General secured the Best Documentary Online award, and Jonathan Donkor of Ghanaian Times; Best Road Safety Reporter.

While paying glowing tribute to the GJA for its diamond jubilee, President Akufo-Addo stressed that more was required from journalists to consolidate the country's democracy.