By Albert Futukpor
Tamale, July 11, GNA – The Northern Region Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards has been launched to recognise deserving journalists for their contribution to the development of the Northern, North East and Savannah Regions.
This year’s Awards, which is the fourth in the series, is on the theme: “Ensuring Violent Free Elections: The Role of the Media”, and will be climaxed in September in Tamale.
The launch event, held in Tamale, was attended by journalists and media practitioners, Heads of Department and some corporate and civil society partners of the Northern Region branch of the GJA.
There are 14 categories of Awards, which are open for journalists and media practitioners in print and electronic media including news agency in the Northern, North East and Savannah Regions.
They include Climate Change and Environmental Reporting, Agriculture Reporting, Development Journalism in Furthering the SDGs, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Education, Health, and Tourism and Culture.
The rest are Disability, Sports Reporting, Road Safety, Peace and Conflict Sensitive Reporting, Energy and Electricity Reporting, Promising Young Female Regional Journalist of the Year (non-competitive), and The Regional Journalist of the Year.
Submission of entries begins from Friday, July 12, and ends on Friday, August 09.
Mr Yakubu Abdul-Majeed, Northern Regional Chairman, GJA, speaking during the launch in Tamale, said a panel of three seasoned and experienced professionals had been constituted to vet entries for the Awards and to select winners for the various categories.
He assured that “We have absolute confidence in their expertise and are certain that they will uphold the highest standards of fairness and integrity in their selections.”
He expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the Awards saying “Without your backing, we could not have executed the numerous activities that have brought us this far. Your commitment to quality journalism is truly commendable.”
He urged journalists and media practitioners to recommit themselves to the principles of ethical journalism, and be the harbingers of truth, the voice of the voiceless, and the guardians of the country’s democracy.
Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, Northern Regional Minister, whose speech was read on his behalf, commended the leadership of the GJA for focusing on violent free elections as the theme for this year’s Awards.
He pledged the support of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council towards the activities of the GJA especially those aimed at promoting peace before, during and after elections.
Bishop Professor Albert Luguterah, Council Member, Northern Regional Peace Council, who chaired the launch, lauded the GJA for focusing on peace saying it was imperative because “We all lose when we lose our peace.”
He also lauded the Awards scheme saying it would promote issues of importance and encourage journalists to do more for the development of the area.
GNA