Safety of journalists high on Gov’t Agenda-Bawumia

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has stated that the Government is committed to ensuring the safety of journalists in the country. As such according to the Vice President, government is working with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to institute a coordinated mechanism to ensure that journalists go about their normal duty without fear.

The country in recent times has come under some criticism in relation to media freedom following some attacks on journalists in the line of duty.

Weak Punishment 

The GJA has stated that the lack of stringent punishment for perpetrators of crimes against journalists, only emboldens others to engage in similar crimes.

President of the GJA, Roland Affail Monney, has called on all and sundry to help fight against the impunity, which he says is downplaying the work of journalists in Ghana.

“We are part of a stakeholder group to craft a framework and mechanism to address the issue of incessant attacks on journalists. On the thread that runs through the attack is impunity. If impunity is not addressed, it grants more impunity. It re-energies a self-propelling cycle and makes it difficult for it to be uprooted. We appeal to all stakeholders to help us fight ferociously the cancer of impunity before it spreads beyond control.”

Enhancing Capacity 

However, Dr. Bawumia has indicated that the government is working with the Association to institute a coordinated mechanism to ensure the safety of journalists.

Speaking at the 70 years anniversary of the GJA and the 24th Awards Night of the Association, Dr. Bawumia also hinted that the government is partnering with the GJA to embark on capacity enhancement programme for media personnel in the country.

“The need to have a coordinated mechanism, for the safety of journalists has gained prime importance in the world over as attacks on journalists have been on the rise globally. Additionally, the need to have media function exceptionally in our democracy has birthed the capacity enhancement programme. I am informed that your leadership has been working closely with the government through the Ministry of Information in designing these interventions. It is my expectation that these interventions will serve us all very well,” he said.

Awards

The 70th anniversary celebration of the GJA was climaxed with the 24th GJA anniversary award ceremony on Saturday, at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra.

The award night was aimed at honouring outstanding journalists and media shows which had excelled in the field of journalism. The 24th edition saw Doreen Hammond of Graphic Communications Group Limited emerge the Overall Best Journalist for the Year 2018.

Honorary awards were also presented to a number of personalities including Sir Sam Jonah and Dr Charles Wereko Brobbey. Ms. Hammond was also adjudged the Best Columnist for the night.

Di Asa, a reality show that showcases plus size women exhibiting their dancing skills on Atinka TV was adjudged the Best Arts and Entertainment Programme. Other awards include Rebecca Kwei (Daily Graphic),Best HIV/AIDS Reporter; Maxwell Akalaare Adombilla (Graphic Business), Best Economic and Financial Reporter (Print); Nana Konadu Agyeman (Daily Graphic), Best Transport and Road Safety Reporter (Print); Moses Dotse Aklorbortu (Graphic Business)’ Best Oil and Gas Reporter; Maclean Kwofi (Graphic Business), Best Maritme Reporter (Print).

Other awardees are Kester Aburam Kuranchie (Graphic Business), Best Investigative Reporter; Edmund Smith-Asante (Daily Graphic), Best Tourism Reporter (Print); Charles Andoh (The Mirror), Best Education Reporter (Print); Charles Benoni Okine (Graphic Business) – Best Telecommunication Reporter (Print), Daily Graphic – Best Newspaper; Citi Breakfast Show – Best Morning Show (English); Citi FM – Best Radio Station (English); Samuel A. Akapule (Ghanaian Times)’ Best Rural Reporter among others.

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