Four journalists of the Ghana News Agency have been honoured at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards ceremony, held for the first time in Kumasi.
The journalists included Albert Oppong Ansah, Best Online News Reporter, Issifu Dasmani Laary, Best Road Safety Reporter, James Amoh Junior, Best Photojournalist and Solomon Gumah, Best Online Features Reporter.
Mr Amoh Junior and Mr Laary received a plaque, certificate and citation each while Mr. Ansah and Mr Gumah received a plaque and a certificate each.
They were among over 30 journalists and media houses across the country who were awarded for their professionalism and exceptional contributions to journalism in 2024.
The ceremony organised under the distinguished patronage of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene and mainly sponsored by the KGL Group was graced by President John Dramani Mahama, the President of the Republic of Ghana.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony were Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Acting Chief Justice of Ghana, Mr Alex Appau Adadey, Executive Chairman of KGL Group and Mr Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister, among others.
“Safeguarding Ghana’s Future: The Role of the Media in Promoting Peace, Security and the Fight Against Galamsey,” was the theme chosen for this year’s celebration of media excellence by the GJA.
President Mahama reaffirmed his unfailing commitment to the fight against illegal mining, outlining various initiatives being implemented to provide job opportunities for the youth in galamsey affected areas.
These interventions, he noted, were designed to deter the youth from further engagement in illegal mining activities and rather embrace sustainable livelihoods.
“I can understand that our young people have been deprived of opportunities over the years but destroying the environment is like cutting off your nose to spite your face,” said Mr Mahama.
He noted the introduction of policies such as the 24-hour economy initiative, Feed Ghana Programme, Poultry Revitalisation Programme, the Ghana Apprenticeship Programme and many others by the government sought to economically empower young people across the country.
He disclosed that he had instructed the Minister of Finance to increase budget allocation for recruitment of more youth into the forest restoration and the Blue Water Guards programmes.
The reforestation initiative under the Tree for Life Restoration Programme seeks to restore degraded lands while the Blue Water Guards Programme aims to restore and safeguard the country’s river bodies.
According to the President, the initiatives will create thousands of jobs for young people in illegal mining affected communities.
“These youths are to be recruited from communities that are affected by illegal mining and receive a monthly stipend of GhC1,500,” he said.
Mr Mahama acknowledged that all these efforts were to stabilize and grow the country’s economy to promote a conducive environment for job creation and employment.
He served notice that firm actions would be taken against communities that attack public officials and security personnel performing their lawful duties in the fight against illegal mining.
GNA
