Radio presenter Philip Osei Bonsu of Asempa FM has been named the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) P.A.V. Ansah Journalist of the Year.
He was conferred with the award at the association’s 30th Media Awards held at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, La, Accra, last Saturday.
Mr Osei Bonsu, popularly known as O.B., received the top individual honour for his work as host of Ekosiisen, Asempa FM’s Current Affairs Programme in Akan, which also won the Best Radio Programme in a Ghanaian Language.
The Daily Graphic’s Timothy Ngnenbe emerged as the most decorated winner of the night, taking three awards for online news reporting, environment and Science Reporting and Illegal Mining reporting.
His story, Unguarded Guards, which examined the challenges and experiences of Ghana’s forest guards, won the online news reporting award.
His colleague, Mohammed Fugu, who reports from the Graphic Communications Group Ltd.’s Northern, Savannah and North East regions, also won the Best in Print News Reporting award.
Overall, 27 individuals won awards in competitive categories on the night.
Winners on the night included a freelance journalist, Nabil Ahmed Rufai, who won Best in Television News Reporting for Stolen Childhood, a report on child labour in Ghana’s fishing industry.
Redwan Karim Dini-Osman of the EIB Network and Moses Apiah of A1 Radio also won two awards each.
While Mr Dini-Osman received the awards for radio news reporting and business reporting, Mr Apiah won Best in Health Reporting and the GJA/Komla Dumor Most Promising Journalist of the Year.
Benedicta Gyimaah Folley of the Ghanaian Times won Best in Print Features, while Clinton Yeboah of Luv FM took the radio features category. Godwin Asediba of Media General won Best in Television Documentaries.
In the specialised categories, Albert Futukpor of the Ghana News Agency received the Akoto Ampaw Award for Democracy and Good Governance Reporting, while Francisca Enchill of Media General was recognised for investigative reporting.
Esther Aidoo of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation won the Bank of Ghana Governor’s Economic and Financial Story of the Year; Juliet Etefe of the Business and Financial Times was awarded the Best Print Columnist, multiple award-winning Samuel Dowuona, founder of TechFocus24, won the Best Online Columnist, and Nathaniel Attoh of Joy FM, who was the MC for the night, was awarded the Best in Sports Reporting.
Eight other distinguished individuals were given honorary awards for their contributions to media freedom, national development and other areas of public life.
They included former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin; Chief of Staff, Dr Julius Debrah; the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
The rest are the Executive Chairman of the KGL Group, Alex Apau Dadey, the Executive Chairman of the Tobinco Group, Dr Nana Amo Tobbin, and the Chief Executive Officer of Special Group of Companies, Ernest Ofori Sarpong.
Media programmes
Three media programmes also won awards. Missing Persons on Atinka TV won Best Television Programme in a Ghanaian Language, while Ekosiisen on Asempa FM took the award for Best Radio Programme in a Ghanaian Language.
Behind the News on Radio Ghana, GBC, won Best Radio/TV Programme in English, while GH Hyper was named Best Digital and New Media Platform.
Ceremony
The ceremony, held on the theme: "Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age," honoured winners out of 53 nominees.
It marked the 30th edition of the GJA's annual recognition of excellence in journalism and media practice.
The awards night was marked by an atmosphere of celebration, supported by an elegantly arranged event.
President John Dramani Mahama (3rd from left) presenting the Journalist of the Year Award to Philip Osei Bonsu of Asempa FM. With them include King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II (3rd from right) and Alex Apau Dadey (left), Executive Chairman, KGL Group. Picture DOUGLAS ANANE-FRIMPONG
Guests added glamour to the evening with a colourful display of fashion, as men turned up in smart tuxedos and caftans, with the women showing up in flowing gowns and traditional outfits.
The rich patterns and vibrant colours of kente and African-print fabrics stood out, alongside carefully tailored formal wear.
The well-organised ceremony created an occasion that celebrated journalism while providing an opportunity for guests to interact and reconnect.
Music added to the evening’s atmosphere, with the Tema Chorale entertaining guests with traditional music.
Musician Kobi Rana also took to the stage with a special performance dedicated to media personnel, prominent and notable figures, as well as victims of floods who had died during the year.
His performance brought a reflective moment to the celebrations, paying tribute to the contributions and memories of those being honoured and remembered.
The musical interludes complemented the presentation of awards, as guests enjoyed dinner and applauded the achievements of journalists and media organisations.
Officials
The ceremony was chaired by the Ga Mantse, while the Nkoranzamanhene, Nana Kwame Baffoe IV, represented the patron of the GJA, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the ceremony.
President John Dramani Mahama delivered the keynote address as Special Guest of Honour at the event which was also attended by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin; the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie; the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin; the IGP, and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Asiama.
Other dignitaries included the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu; businessman and Chancellor of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC), Ernest Ofori Sarpong, and the Executive Chairman of KGL Group, Mr Apau Dadey.
The executive and members of the GJA, members of the diplomatic corps and other guests were also present.
Free Speech
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, called on politicians to defend press freedom consistently.
He also condemned threats, assaults and unlawful detention of journalists, particularly when they undertook legitimate assignments.
“Efforts to combat hate speech must not be used to suppress legitimate criticism or freedom of expression.”
“We do not expect favourable headlines as a condition for engagement, nor do we expect journalists to surrender their editorial independence in the name of partnership,” he said.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu also renewed the government’s commitment to finding the killers of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale, whose murder in January 2019 remains unresolved.
"Democracy thrives on disagreement, and what it cannot accommodate is the deliberate incitement of hatred, violence and intolerance.
A clear distinction must be struck between criminal conduct and the expression of free speech," he stated.
