PIX: Nana Boakye Yam Ababio presenting an honorary award to James Agler of the Multimedia Group at the awards night
Story:
THE ASHANTI Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on Saturday night honored 17 persons whose distinguished contributions had ensured the development of the practice as well as the Ashanti Region.
Multimedia Ghana Limited on the night was specifically mentioned and recognised for showing profuse interests in Health Journalism.
Award recipients included current practitioners as well as those who have moved on in life but were still contributing to the shaping of media practice in the country and Ashanti in particular.
Luther King Adinkra, popularly known as Kwame Adinkra from ABN Group, Prince Bempong Marfo(Kojo Marfo)and Isaac Justice Bediako from EIB Group, Sampson Kwame Nyamekye from Despite Media Group, William De Bordes (Lovin Cee) from Silver FM, Charles Brafo-Anakwah from Wontumi Media, Erastus Asare Donkor from Multimedia Ghana Limited and Beatrice Spio-Garbrah and Victor Opoku from Media General Group, Solomon Budu-Hagan of GBC were particularly mentioned for their sustained efforts in development Journalism.
Previous practitioners such as Nana Yaw Osei Esq, a former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the GJA, Dr Kingsley Antwi-Boasiako, Public Affairs Manager of Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority, Michael Nana Ampong, Council Member of the Cape Coast Technical University and veteran broadcaster and educationist, Ibrahim K Gyasi were also honoured for their past and continued contributions for the shaping of the Journalism profession.
Budding but enterprising journalists in the persons of Elisha Adarkwah of the Class Media Group and Jacob Agyenim Boateng of Otec FM were also honored for their unrelenting efforts of providing creative content for their outfits.
Famous friend of the media and politician, Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (COKA) was also honored for his philanthropic contributions and support to the media spanning over two decades.
Speakers:
Chairman for the Excellence Awards Ceremony, Nana Boakye Yam Ababio, Nkwantakesehene urged the media to carrry out their mandates with dignity and courage.
He advised practitioners to apply the ethics of the profession at all times.
Nana Ababio noted that the contributions of the media to the development of the country cannot be quantified and therefore urged government to provide every assistance they may need in carrying out their mandates.
“Let’s see the media as partners of development and provide assistance to them to carry out their mandates rather than seeking to antagonise them and at times attacking them”, the Chief stated.
Education Minister:
Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister for Education commended the media for carrying out roles that has caused the development in the country.
He urged them to continue on that path by partnering with government to carry out development initiatives.
Kumasi Mayor:
Hon Samuel Pyne, the Mayor for Kumasi urged the media not to target personalities in their work but afford people especially leaders of organisations and outfits opportunity to explain for their actions.
He noted that the government and the KMA see the media as an important arm to cause the kind of development Ghanaians would want to see.
Keynote Speaker:
Yaw Boadu Ayeboafoh Esq, Chairman for the National Media Commission advised the media to apply the ethics of the profession in the discharge of their duties.
He noted that having an unbiased and objective mindset on issues would do the media good at all times.
“We must not sacrifice the truth for anything else and our reports must be flawless having undertaken all the due diligence needed before publications”, the NMC Chair stated.
GJA Chairman:
Mr Albert Dwumfour, GJA National Chairman commended the Ashanti Regional Branch for pulling off such an encouraging award scheme.
He asked the media to be fair in their work so that they do not unnecessarily injure innocent persons while carrying out their mandates.
Story By Michael Ofosu-Afriyie,
Kumasi.
