By: Ewoenam Kpodo | Voltaonlinegh.com |
The Volta Region branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has launched the 2nd edition of Volta Journalists Awards in Ho.
The awards, instituted last year is aimed at appreciating journalists and media practitioners in the region as well as encouraging the young journalists to embrace professionalism
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, in a speech to launch the Awards lauded journalists for their contributions towards development issues in the region, citing a publication that led to the release of a heavily-pregnant woman from prison as example.
He called on the leadership of the Association to bring on board all practitioners in the various districts across the region as those at the districts have been doing great works to bring local governance issue to the people.
He advised practitioners to desist from using their media platforms especially radio to run down people and government for reasons best known.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for North Dayi and Dean of municipal and district chief executives (MDCEs) in the region, Mr Kudjoh Attah described the theme for the Awards, “Media-Key Partner in Local Governance” as apt.
He commended the goods works of journalists in the region and asked that they continue to do more by allocating air time for government policies to be explained to the people.
Mama Attratoh II, Queen mother of Ho-Dome who was the Chairperson at the launch, expressed disgust at acts of violence against journalists. She asked for such people or groups of people to be shamed.
She also called on journalists in the region to be circumspect in their reportage to maintain the peace that currently prevails in the region.
Mr Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi, Regional Chairman of GJA bemoaned the rising attacks on journalists in the region by some people, describing it as worrisome.
He noted that the Association will not tolerate but resist such unwarranted attacks on members and called for concerted efforts to arrest the situation.
The Regional Director of Communications, GJA, Mr Harrison Belley disclosed that entries are open to journalists practising (in both print and electronic media) in the region.
He gave categories for entries as Health, Education, Agriculture, Sanitation, Tourism, Business and Economics, Sports, Local Governance, Child Protection, Morning Show – English, Morning Show – Ewe, Morning Show – Twi.
Mr Belley announced November 2017 to November 15, 2018 as period of entry eligibility disclosing that deadline for submission of entries is at 5:00pm on November 15, 2018.
He directed all entries should be addressed and delivered in 4 copies for print and 4 copies of CD for electronic to the Chairman of GJA Volta Awards Committee at the Ghana News Agency (GNA) block in Ho.
Members of the awards committee are Mr Sepenyo Dzokoto, Mr Ralph Avornyo and Madam Lydia Adajawah.
The awards night which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at Skyplus Hotel, Ho has sponsors including Electricity Company of Ghana, (ECG), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) – Volta and Eastern Chapter, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAS) Pencils of Promise, Stanbic Bank, Africa Hill Hotel, Skyplus Hotel and Afe Lotto
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
