Two Connect FM journalists have been honored at the first ever Western regional edition of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) awards.
The station’s reporter, Eric Yaw Adjei, received the ‘Best Environmental Reporter’ award while Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson picked the award for ‘Radio Development Oriented Personality of the Year’ award.
Connect FM, a subsidiary of the Media General Group also received a citation for its commitment to development in the Western region.
Aimed at recognizing excellence in journalism in the region, the maiden Western regional GJA Awards was under the theme, “Redefining Corporate Social Responsibility; Moving from Handout to Legacy projects, the role of the Gatekeeper”.
The event which had in attendance the National President of the GJA, Affail Monney and the Chairman of the National Media Commission, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo saw journalists from the region honoured in seven categories.
One of the highlights of the Western Regional GJA awards was the presentation of a medical insurance package to some retired journalists in the region.
The Chairman of the National Media Commission, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo while commending the awardees and the Western Regional GJA executives for the transparent organization of the awards also challenged the National GJA to consider the innovations in the Western Regional Awards.
“I think that one of the best things that has happened here today is the institution of the medical support for past and retired journalists who served in this region.
“Again I am looking at the President of the Ghana Journalist Association to see how what has been done here, where technically outsiders have been used to measure the standard of journalism practice, can be adopted as a complement to the awards ceremonies that we have been organizing”, he said.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Sulemanu Koney, speaking on the theme said mining companies have spent 230 million dollars in the last decade on corporate social responsibilities, but said the time has come for mining firms to embark on legacy projects when it comes to CSR.
Mr. Koney also challenged journalists to show interest in the dealings of the mining sector and insist on fair distribution of mining revenues.
The Western Regional GJA Chapter Chairman, Moses Dotsey Koblah Aklorbortu, who praised institutions who supported the awards said the success of the event marks the beginning of a new chapter in the activities of the Western Regional GJA and called on all to rally around the GJA for a forward match.
The Best Journalist award went to Citinews’ Theophilus Kwesi Agyei Enim.
Institutions including Goldfields Ghana Limited, Ghana Manganese Limited, Ghana Gas, Raybow Hotel, Tullow Ghana, MTN, Kosmos Energy, Springfield Group supported awards.
Source: 3news.com | Ghana