GJA launches 30th Media Awards
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has given the Ghana Armed Forces two weeks to provide a comprehensive report on investigations into reported attacks on two journalists in Accra.
The GJA President, Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, said the Association had demanded a full account of the investigations and details of any disciplinary or other action taken against personnel found responsible.
He said failure to provide a satisfactory report within the two-week period would compel the GJA to pursue the matter through the appropriate legal, institutional and public accountability channels.
The journalists involved are Philip Abutiate of Bullet TV, who was reportedly assaulted during a demolition exercise at Laboma Beach, and Kweku Dennis Sika of Sika Official, who was reportedly attacked at La Pleasure Beach.
Mr Dwumfour made the disclosure in Accra yesterday when the GJA launched the 30th edition of its Media Awards, scheduled for November 7, 2026.
The awards will celebrate excellence, professionalism, innovation and impact in Ghanaian journalism.
Mr Dwumfour said the 30th edition was a significant milestone in the history of the Association and an opportunity to recognise journalists whose work had contributed to public debate, accountability and national development.
The theme for this year’s awards is: “30th GJA Media Awards: Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age.”
He said the theme reflected the changing media landscape and the need for journalists to uphold professional standards while confronting challenges posed by hate speech, misinformation and disinformation.
Despite changes in technology and the way news was produced and consumed, Mr Dwumfour said journalists must continue to prioritise accuracy, fairness, verification, context and credibility.
“The public needs journalists it can trust,” he said, stressing the importance of journalism that asked difficult questions, investigated issues of public interest and held institutions accountable.
Mr Dwumfour announced that 327 entries from 206 journalists had been received for this year’s awards.
Online media accounted for 125 entries, followed by television with 111, print with 46 and radio with 45.
Two new categories have also been introduced, the New Media Platform Awards and the Governor’s Economic and Financial Story of the Year Award.
Mr Dwumfour said the New Media Platform Awards were aimed at encouraging bloggers and new-media practitioners to uphold professional and ethical standards.
The Governor’s Economic and Financial Story of the Year Award, which attracted more than 10 entries despite being a new category, was intended to promote quality reporting on economic and financial issues.
The GJA expressed appreciation to the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama, for supporting the category.
The entries will be assessed by a nine-member committee chaired by a Commissioner of the National Media Commission and former Daily Graphic Editor, Mr Kobby Asmah.
The committee will review the entries and submit its recommendations to the GJA National Executive for consideration and approval.
President John Dramani Mahama will be the Special Guest of Honour at the awards ceremony.
The Patron of the GJA, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is also expected to attend, while the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, will serve as Guest of Honour.
The 30th GJA Media Awards are being supported by sponsors and partners, including KGL Group, Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
BY ABIGAIL ARTHUR
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