By Jibril Abdul Mumuni, GNA
Accra, June 6, GNA – The Ghana News Agency (GNA) has received an Institutional Award at the second Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) World Press Freedom Day Honours Night held in Accra on Saturday.
The award recognised GNAâs outstanding contribution to press freedom, media development and national discourse.
A citation presented at the ceremony highlighted the Agencyâs enduring role in telling, preserving and sharing Ghanaâs story across generations.
The citation described GNA as a trusted source of credible information and a backbone of the countryâs media ecosystem, noting that its work had connected communities, amplified diverse voices and strengthened democratic governance nationwide.
The World Press Freedom Day Honours Night brought together key stakeholders from the media, government and civil society to celebrate individuals and institutions that have demonstrated commitment to press freedom and responsible journalism.
The event formed part of efforts to reaffirm the mediaâs role in promoting democratic governance and national development.
Speaking on the sidelines of the programme, Mr Albert Kofi Owusu, the General Manager of GNA, who received the award on behalf of the Agency, noted that the honour reflected GNAâs longstanding contribution to journalism and national development.
The Agency, he said, had played a pivotal role in shaping Ghanaâs media landscape by supplying news content to the public and other media organisations, many of which rely on GNA services as a foundation for their operations.
âGNA is the âNewsroomâ of media organisations,â he said.
Mr Owusu said the Agency had remained a vital institutional bridge between government and citizens by ensuring that information on state activities reached the public while promoting accountability and transparency in governance.
âIts contribution to Ghanaâs democratic development has earned it the recognition as a cornerstone of the countryâs information system,â he added.
The General Manager attributed the Agencyâs progress to its close connection with Ghanaâs history and development trajectory since its establishment on 5th March 1957, a day before Ghanaâs independence.
He emphasised that the award belonged not only to the current Management and staff but also to generations of journalists whose dedication had built and sustained the institutionâs relevance in an evolving media environment.
Mr Owusu added that as GNA prepared to celebrate its 70th anniversary next year, it remained committed to professionalism, accuracy and public service journalism while adapting to the changing demands of the digital era.
Other institutions honoured at the ceremony included the Graphic Communications Group Limited, The Catholic Standard, Bank of Ghana and Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra in recognition of their support for journalism and national development.
In addition to the institutional awards, the GJA honoured personalities who have championed press freedom, including Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Haruna Atta, Samson Lardy Anyenini, and the late Justice Kwame Afreh.
Under the Dedication and Valour category, veteran journalists Sir Benedict Batabe Assorow, Gina Blay, Kwabena Yeboah, Kofi Badu and Gamel Nasser Adam were also recognised.
The Association also acknowledged contributions to media development by Prof. Amin Alhassan, Director General Ghana Broadcasting; Prof. Omane Antwi, Vice Rector Pentecost University College ; Mr. Kofi Totobi Quakyi, a veteran politician; Mrs. Beatrice Agyeman, a broadcast media executive; Mr. Ken Ansah, a filmmaker and creative arts director; and Mr. Fada Dickson Narh, a broadcast media executive.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe