By Ernest Nutsugah
Accra, Sept. 29, GNA – The 28th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards ended on a high note, with Mr. Edward Acquah, Chief Reporter at the Ghana News Agency (GNA), winning the GJA/Komla Dumor Most Promising Journalist of the Year award.
His entry, which explored the issue of “hook-ups” and the dangers of online sex trading, distinguished itself among the many submissions.
Mr. Acquah received a citation and a plaque, beaming alongside President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who congratulated all awardees for their exceptional work.
Speaking afterward, Mr. Acquah expressed his gratitude for the recognition and thanked the GNA leadership, staff, and colleagues for their unwavering support.
“Six years ago, at my graduation ceremony at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, I was adjudged the Most Promising Student Journalist. Six years later, the GJA has also seen the light in me and has awarded me the Most Promising Journalist of the Year.
“For me, it is an exciting feeling, and I thank God for making this possible,” he said.
Mr. Acquah acknowledged the challenges he faced while compiling the award-winning report but expressed his satisfaction with the outcome.
Beyond the accolades, he emphasized the need for greater protection for young people engaging in risky online activities to make ends meet.
“I am challenged by the lack of monitoring on our social media platforms where anybody at all can set up a platform for people to prospect for sex…it exposes young people to danger.
“Adults may want to do whatever they want to do for money, but we should protect the children who may think it is a venture they can also engage in…For me, we should enhance monitoring and ensure that such platforms are eliminated,” he added.
The ceremony, which climaxed the 75th Anniversary celebration of the GJA, was on the theme: “75 years of excellence in Journalism: The Role of the media in Democratic Governance and Elections”.
Mr. Edward Adeti of Media Without Borders was honored as the P. A. V. Ansah Journalist of the Year and received the award for Best Reporter in Investigative Journalism.
Beatrice Senadju from GBC was named Best Female Journalist of the Year. She also won the Best Television Feature Reporter award.
The Best Student Journalist of the Year was Mr. Clinton Yeboah from Multimedia.
Mr. Seth Bokpe of the Fourth Estate received the Akoto Ampaw Award for Democracy and Good Governance.
The Daily Graphic maintained its title as Best Newspaper (Layout), and a special award was presented to the Director of Human Security at the Ministry of National Security.
Other winners included Castro Senyalah from Media General for Court and Crime Reporting, Evans Aziamor-Mensah (Fourth Estate) and Adjoa Adobea Owusu for Education Reporting, and Benedicta Gyimah Folley of Ghanaian Times for Gender Reporting.
Edmund Smith Asante from the Daily Graphic was recognised as Columnist of the Year and won Best Reporter for Domestic Tourism.
Philip Teye Agbove from the Fourth Estate was named Online News Reporter of the Year, while Fred Duhoe of Channel One TV won Best Television News Reporter.
Ridwan Kareem Deen Osuman from EIB Network received awards for Best Radio News Reporter and Best Reporter for Radio Feature.
Timothy Ngnenbe of Daily Graphic was recognised as Best Print News Reporter.
Stanley Nii Blewu from Media General won for Best Documentary (Online), and Doreen Ampofo from GBC took home the award for Best Radio Documentary.
Kester Aburam Korankye of Daily Graphic was honored as Best Reporter Feature Print, while Beatrice Senadju from GBC won again for Best Television Feature Reporter.
Dr. Neta Chris Abiana Parsram from Multimedia won the award for Best Online Feature Reporter. Obunu FM was recognized for Best Ghanaian Language Radio Programme, while Joy FM’s Super Morning Show took home the award for Best English Radio Programme.
Atinka TV’s “Kids Dance” won Best Ghanaian Language Television Programme, and Joy News’ PM Express was awarded Best English Television Programme.
Other winners included Erastus Asare Donkor from Multimedia for Best Reporter (Illegal Mining), Emmanuel Bruce from Daily Graphic for Best Reporter in Business & Finance, Godwin Asediba from Media General for Best Health Reporter, David Andoh from Multimedia for Best Photojournalist, and Delali Sika from Daily Graphic for Best Arts & Culture Reporter.
Jonathan Donkor from Ghanaian Times won the award for Best Reporter (Road Safety), while Clara Mlano from GBC was recognized as Best Environment Reporter.
Solomon Jojo Cobbinah from Multimedia took home the award for Best Television Documentary, and Bill Eshun from Media General was honored as Best Disability Reporter.
Muftawu Nabila Abdulai from Multimedia won for Best Sports Reporter, and Emmanuel Kwesi Debrah, also from Multimedia, was recognised as Best Science & Technology Reporter.
GNA