The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has honoured 17 media personalities and two institutions for their contributions to the growth of journalism in the region.
Mr. Ibrahim Kwaku Gyasi, simply known as I.K Gyasi, a retired educationist, renowned newspaper columnist and an honorary member of GJA, was honoured for his works from 1966 to 2016.
His articles and letters were published in the Ghanaian Times, Daily Graphic, The Mirror, The Pioneer, Ghanaian Chronicle (now The Chronicle) and Ashanti Independent and The Independent (the parent paper of the Ashanti Independent).
Mr. Gyasi was a panellist on GBC-TV, Garden City Radio, Kapital Radio, OTEC FM, LUV FM, Angel FM and FOX FM, as well as hosting discussion programmes like “Viewpoint” on OTEC FM and “Periscope” on Garden City Radio.
For 20 years (1996 to 2016) he authored the BLUNTLY SPEAKING column in The Chronicle on weekly basis.
The other awardees at last Saturday’s Excellence Media Awards included Mr. Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, alias COKA, a former NPP Constituency chairman of the Afigya Kwabre South District; Mr. William De Bordes of Silver FM; Dr. Kingsley Antwi Boasiako, Corporate Affairs and Marketing Manager of the Ghana Harbour and Ports Authority (GHPA); Martin Luther King, alias Kwame Adinkra of Pure FM; Prince Kojo Marfo, Ultimate and Abusua FM (EIB Network); Sampson Kwame Nyamekye, General Manager (Hello FM); Michael Nana Ampong, a Media Consultant; Nana Yaw Osei, legal practitioner and former Ashanti regional GJA chairman, Mr. William de Bordes of Silver FM and Charles Anakwa Brakwa (Yahoo), News Editor of Wontumi Radio/TV.
Others are Ms. Beatrice Spio-Garbrah and Victor Opoku, both of Media General; Isaac Justice Bediako, EIB Network; Jacob Agyenim Boateng, alias Nana Kokooto, news anchor and producer of OTEC FM; Elisha Dakpa, Akoma FM and Solomon Budu Hagan of GBC.
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each of the awardees received either a plague or a citation at the Excellence Media Awards held at the Rattray Park on Saturday, under the theme: “Recognising the media in national development”.
The Guest Speaker, Mr. Yaw Boadu Ayeboafo, who is also the Chairman of the National Media Commission, while addressing the forum said the media is critical and important and plays a significant role which must be appreciated. “It should not be turned into personal vendetta and abuse”.
He cautioned the media not to be wreckless but stick to the code of ethics, as those who act irresponsibly undermine democracy, noting that journalism is a noble profession.
The National GJA President, Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwomfour, noted that the media is the fulcrum of development, hence the need to ensure professionalism at all times.
He assured that Ghanaian journalists will continue to hold government accountable until the living conditions of every Ghanaian is improved.
He said journalists will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including government, to strengthen governance while ensuring accountability.
The Ashanti GJA chairman, Mr. Kingsley E. Hope, lamented about the lack of respect and recognition for journalists by society.
The Chairman of the occasion, Nana Boakye Yam, chief of Nkwantakese, noted that the media plays a major role in the development of the country and that those who excel in their respective fields of operation deserve recognition to encourage others.
