Mr. Anthony Adongo Apubeo, a Chief Reporter at the Ghana News Agency‘s (GNA) Bolgatanga Office, has received recognition at the second edition of the Upper East Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, winning two prestigious awards for 2022.
Apubeo clinched the titles of Best Tourism Reporter and Best Gender Reporter for his outstanding news features, including “Pikworo Slave Camp: Transit Centre for Chained Africans” and “Female Genital Mutilation: a bane to achieving SDGs Three, Five.”
Other winners at the awards ceremony included Mr. Albert Sore of Joynews, who was named Journalist of the Year after securing the Best Human Rights and Best Agriculture Reporter titles.
Nicholas Azebire of Dreamzfm received the Most Promising Journalist of the Year award alongside the Best Disability Reporter and Best Child Protection Reporter accolades.
Additional awardees included Joshua Asaah of A1 Radio (Best Reporter, Sanitation and Conflict), Simon Agana Blessing of Wordfm (Best Water and Development Reporter), Moses Apiah of A1 Radio (Best Education Reporter), Castro Senyalah of Assase Radio (Best Environment Reporter), Stephen Ngamgbulam Chidozie of ApexNewsGh (Best Climate Change Reporter), and Nelson Jose Abagna of Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation (Best Sports Reporter).
The awards ceremony, held under the theme “Safeguarding the Peace and Security of the Upper East Region: the Role of the Media,” aimed to highlight the critical role of journalism in maintaining peace and security, particularly in regions affected by conflicts like the protracted Bawku chieftaincy conflict in the Upper East Region.
Mr. William Jalulah, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the GJA, commended the winners and emphasized the responsibility of the media in fostering peace and responsible journalism in conflict-prone areas.
He called for the reconsideration of the Ghana Police Service‘s centralized information-sharing policy and its impact on security reporting.
Alhaji Yusif Fofana, the Government Spokesperson on Social Services, representing Mr. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister of Information, stressed the importance of media practitioners building trust among feuding factions to contribute to peace in conflict areas.
Fofana also highlighted the increasing threats of terrorism and insurgencies in neighboring countries, underscoring the crucial role of journalists in safeguarding national security.
Mr. Stephen Yakubu, the Upper East Regional Minister, praised the media for their role in attracting investors to the region and called on them to promote lasting peace, especially in light of recent violent conflicts that disrupted lives, property, and essential services in the region.
- Reporting by Gilbert Azeem Tiroog: Editing by Adewale Adejoke
