An investigative journalist with Reporters Without Borders, Edward Adeti, was on Saturday crowned the 2023 Paul Archibald Vianney (PAV) Ansah Journalist of the Year at the 28th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards.
His story titled “Stealing from the Sick” which uncovered the mystery behind shortages of drugs at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, won him the ultimate award of the night, in addition to the investigative journalist of the year.
At the same event, The Ghanaian Times’ Jonathan Donkor and Benedicta Gyimaah Folley were recognized for their exceptional reporting and in-depth storytelling.
Mr Donkor emerged the Road Safety Journalist of the Year with a feature article; “Tired tyres and the tragedy tied to them”, which drew attention to how defective vehicle tyres were contributing to crashes in the country.
Ms Folley was adjudged Gender Journalist of the Year for her article; “Witchcraft accusations: A tool for torture, segregation and lynching of vulnerable people” which shed light on human rights, injustice and discrimination and the plight of vulnerable women.
Attended by imminent personalities including the special guest, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Charles Abani, the event climaxed the 75th anniversary of the GJA.
In his acceptance speech, delivered on his behalf by his brother due to his inability to make it to the event, Mr Adeti expressed gratitude to the GJA for the recognition.
He dedicated the award to all journalists who bravely pursue truth and justice amid the challenges and dangers they face in their profession nand emphasized his dedication to continue holding duty bearers accountable.
More than 30 journalists and media houses were honoured at the ceremony which was on the theme “75 years of excellence in journalism:
The role of the media in democratic governance and elections.”
Beatrice Senadju of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) won Female journalist of the nyear while Edward Acquah of the Ghana News Agency grabbed the Komla Dumor Most Promising Journalist of the year.
The Fourth Estate’s Adwoa Adobea-Owusu and Evans Aziamor-Mensah won the best education story; Seth J. Bokpe of the same media house grabbed the Best Reporter in Democracy and Good Governance for the third consecutive time.
Channel One TV’s Fred Duhoe won Best TV news reporter of the year and EIB network’s Ridwan Kirim Didi-Osman won both Best Radio news reporter of the year and Best Radio feature of the year.
Daily Graphic’s Kester Aburam Korankye, Timothy Ngnenbe won Features (print) Reporter of the year and News (print) reporter of the year respectively while their colleague Emmanuel Bruce won Business and Finance journalist of the year.
From GBC, Doreen Ampofo won Radio Documentary Reporter of the Year; Clara Mlano was also crowned Best Environmental Reporter of the Year, and Obonu FM’s Nengbe Nyeshe hosted by Naa Dede Akrong was also adjudged as the best Radio Ghanaian language programme of the year.
BY JONATHAN DONKOR