GJA inaugurates 9-member awards committee
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has inaugurated a nine-member committee to oversee the 28th GJA Media Awards.
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This year’s awards, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of the association, has been fixed for September 28, 2024.
The awards committee, chaired by the Chief Editor of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), George-Ramsey Benamba, is expected to complete its work by September 17, 2024.
Other members of the committee are the Tema Regional Director of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Loretta Vanderpuye; the News Editor of United Television (UTV), Joana Afua Mensah; the Editor of myjoyonline.com, Isaac Yeboah; and the Deputy News Editor of Daily Graphic, Michael Quaye.
Others are the Head of News of 3FM and co-host of Sunrise Morning Show, William A. Asiedu; the Editor of Daily Guide, Jamila Akweley Okertchiri; an international photojournalist, Nana Kofi Acquah, and the News Director of Atinka Media Village, Isaac Nuamah Yeboah.
The mandate of the committee is to review nominations filed for the 34 categories of the GJA Media Awards, and select winners based on merit, accuracy and impact.
Responsibility
The President of GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, who inaugurated the committee in Accra, described the members as solid, with vast competence in their respective fields.
He said the committee had the responsibility to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency and fairness in the selection process.
“We can all attest to the fact that under the current regime, we have organised two successful awards that have received no backlash whatsoever from the populace, and from even our members.
“We are confident that the 28th GJA Awards ceremony, just as the previous ones, will also receive commendation and thumbs up,” Mr Dwumfour added.
Significance of media
The GJA President reiterated the media’s role in a vibrant democracy, stressing that the situation depended on a free and independent press.
“The media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion, holding leaders accountable, and ensuring transparency in governance,” he said.
The president said as the nation headed towards elections in December this year, the media did not only have the responsibility to ensure democratic governance and peaceful elections, but also would provide balanced and impartial reportage.
Mr Dwumfour further charged the media to give voice to diverse perspectives, including marginalised communities, fact-checking and debunking of misinformation and polarising narratives.
“It is the only way, as the fourth estate of the realm, that we can be said to be playing our constitutional mandate,” he said.
The General Secretary of the GJA, Edmund Kofi Yeboah, said some international figures in the media space had already confirmed their participation in the awards event scheduled for the Accra International Conference Centre.
He said the association’s Diamond Jubilee event, which would fall on August 15, 2024, had elevated the awards programme.
Appreciation
The Chairman of the awards committee expressed gratitude to the national executive of the association for the confidence reposed in members of the committee.
Mr Benamba said the privilege to serve the association via the committee, came with the responsibility to deliver a professional work that would honour outstanding and deserving works of media personalities and brands.