3 Graphic Business journalists win IFEJ Awards
Three journalists from the GRAPHIC BUSINESS have won various prizes at this year’s IFEJ Flamingo Awards held in Accra at the weekend.
Mr Emmanuel Bruce, Mr Maxwell Akalaare Adombila and Ms Jessica Acheampong emerged the best reporters in Agribusiness, Local Economy and Extractives, respectively.
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Mr Adombila’s report, “30 local banks face collapse” was recognised for its factual and detailed account of the state of affairs of the local economy and measures required to address the problems.
A citation accompanying the award read in part, “Your story successfully brought out information about the subject in the public domain with a good chance of influencing policy direction about the future of Ghana’s local economy”.
Ms Jassica Acheampong’s story, “Oil fails to lift agric sector”, which was adjudged the best report in the Extractives was recognised for its originality and self generated journalistic flair.
“The story has the elements to create adequate awareness and impact public policy”. The reportage is commendable as highly original and self generated with journalistic flair. The terms used are self explanatory and sources quoted are trustworthy”, a citation accompanying the award read.
Mr Emmanuel Bruce’s story “Government exits Aveyime Rice Factory- To allow for capital injection”, was adjudge the best report in agribusiness in recognition of the quality of the reportage which was enhanced by the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the research which formed its basis.
“An excellent example of a highly original, self-generated and informative story with the potential to raise public awareness and interest policymakers”, a citation accompanying the award read.
other winners
Mr Felix Dela Klutse of the Business Day newspaper emerged the overall winner – the Business Journalist for 2017.
He won the Best in Business of Health and the Best in Finance to become the Overall Best for the second time. He was the Overall Best Business Journalist in 2014, the maiden edition of IFEJ Flamingo Award.
Other awards winners included Ms Francisca Dickson Arhin of GHOne TV who won the Best in Business/Manufacturing Reporting, Mr Kwabena Adu Koranteng of the New Crusading Guide for the Best in Development Reporting.
The Best in Information and Communication Technology went to Mr Richard Abbey of the Business and Financial Times and Best in Tourism Reporting went to Ms Rebecca Awuah of Ghana Television.
The First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr Maxwell Opoku, addressing journalists at the awards ceremony held at the Du Bois centre, commended business and financial journalists for their role in enhancing financial inclusion in the country.
He said the aim of the central bank was to enhance financial inclusion in the country and was, therefore, appreciative of the media’s contribution towards its achievement.
The annual event is organised by the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ), a group of journalists with interest in business and finance issues, to reward journalists who have distinguished themselves in the course of work.
Formalising economy
Speaking on the theme ‘Embracing financial inclusion and innovation for growth and development,’ the First Deputy Governor said the importance of financial inclusion for growth and development could not be over emphasised, as it served as a boost for resilience and financial growth in the country.
“This is at the centre to formalise the Ghanaian economy as it boosts savings, information sharing, improves resource allocation, facilitate diversification and manage risks,” he stated.
He said this would also ultimately serve as an economic tool for job creation and poverty reduction.
From the BoGs perspective, he said an enhanced financial inclusion would also help to deepen the transmission mechanisms and allow monetary decisions that would create broader growth for its mandate of price stability.
The president of IFEJ, Mr Rayborn Bulley, expressed his excitement at the improvement of the stories that were submitted for this year’s awards.
He also expressed gratitude to sponsors and major stakeholders for the continuous support in empowering financial and economic journalists through IFEJ.
Continuous support
The General Manager of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Dr Kwame Baah-Nuakoh, who was the chairman of the awards, pledged the corporation’s continuous support to the awards.
He expressed its willingness to collaborate with IFEJ to develop business and economic journalism in the country. — GB