By Joseph Agrace Wiyorbie, GNA
Wa (UW/R), Nov. 01, GNA – Mr Philip Tengzu, a Chief Reporter with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), has been crowned Upper West Regional Journalist of the Year at the Second edition of the Upper West Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards 2026.
He also won Best Reporter in Environment and Climate Change as well as the Best Reporter in Education categories.
Mr Tengzu’s story on Environment and Climate Change exposed the drastic impact of climate change on smallholder women farmers at Piree, a community in the Nadowli-Kaleo District, and the need to adopt farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR) to help mitigate climate change.
Also, his education story exposed the challenges children in the Dabillipuo community in the Wa East District faced in accessing formal education in a dilapidated structure with limited furniture.
Six other journalists and media practitioners in the region – Ibrahim Muniru of Radio Mak; Ayamga Bawa Fatawu, a Freelance Journalist; Rafiq Nungor Adam, Channel 247; Ibrahim Abubakari Wangara, Media General; Gladys Wein Kitty, GBC Radio Upper West; and Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor of Daily Graphic – won various categories.
The awards ceremony, held at the A&QS Grand View Hotel in Wa, was under the theme: “Upholding Media Excellence: Promoting Ethical Journalism, Accountability, and Regional Development.”
It was aimed at recognising and celebrating outstanding journalists in the region who had dedicated their work to excellent, professional, and impactful journalism practice in 2025.
Speaking at the event at the weekend, Mr Prosper Kuorsoh, Chairman of the Upper West Regional GJA, emphasised the need to honour journalistic excellence, noting that such initiatives motivated media practitioners to uphold professional standards and elevate the quality of their work.
He said the initiative would also encourage journalists in the region to focus on real issues that affect society and are of human interest instead of chasing the peripheral.
Mr Kuorsoh called for stronger partnerships among stakeholders to build a media landscape in the region that thrives on ethical, accountable and development-oriented reportage.
He encouraged the media in the region to let their work speak for the voiceless, hold power to account and reminded the gathering that “the pen and the microphone are mightier than the sword.”
The Regional GJA Chairperson also entreated journalists and media practitioners in the region to be guided by professional accountability in discharging their duties, especially within an evolving media landscape increasingly shaped by digital communication platforms.
Mr Kuorsoh thanked the sponsors of the awards ceremony for their commitment to supporting the media and contributing to promoting media excellence in the region.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Philip Tengzu thanked the GJA leadership for the recognition and said it would encourage the media practitioners in the region to strive for excellence in their work.
“To my colleague journalists and media practitioners, this recognition today is an indication that our works are being noticed by the Association and the communities we serve”, he said.
The 2nd edition of the Upper West Regional GJA Awards 2026 was sponsored by MTN Ghana; NEDCo; Bliss Eye Care; Anwelle Foundation; The Hudu Foundation; Bil Clinical Laboratory; A&QS Grand View Hotel; Lawra Municipal Assembly; CAPECS Ghana; Delmwine Afriq; and Antika Company Limited.
Also, individual sponsors were Alhaji Alhassan Uthman Gnangu; Dr Hassan Rashid Pelpuo; Madam Shamima Muslim; and Naa Professor Edmund Nminyem Delle Chiir VIII.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agye