The Ghana Journalists Association (G.JA) will honour 24 distinguished individuals and institutions for championing press freedom and the cause Of the GJA over the years as it commemorates this year’s World Press Freedom Day (WPFD).
The event, a marked departure from the annual daytime flag-raising ceremony at the Forecourt of the Ghana International Press Centre to commemorate WPFD, will be held in the evening, on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the Alisa Hotel, North Ridge, at 6pm prompt.
It is an innovation designed to use the occasion of WPFD to recognise and honour the recipients, with President John Dramani Mahama as the Special Guest of Honour, and Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, media partners and media practitioners in attendance.
The first category of honorees consists of individuals who have made significant contribution to the promotion of press freedom in Ghana over the years.
They are Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, Gifty Affenyi Dadzie, Esq and Ajoa Yeboah Afari, all former GJA presidents; Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby, Chief Policy Analyst, Ghana Institute of Public Policy Options (GIPPO); Prof Kwame Karikari, media and communications expert; Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Managing Editor, The Insight, Elizabeth Ohene, former Editor of the Daily Graphic, and Ben Ephson Jnr, Managing Editor, Daily Despatch.
The second category of honorees is made up of individuals who have made significant contribution to the development of the media in Ghana over the years.
They are Sir Sam Jonah, international business expert; Bright Blewu, former GJA General Secretary; Kwasi Afriyie Badu, lawyer; Cameron Duodu, renowned journalists; Chief Dr Crystal Djirakor, founder of Crystal TV, and Wilna and Alex Quarmyne, founders of Ada Radio.
The Embassy of the United States of America in Accra, Unilever Ghana Limited, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Electoral Commission, Innolink Ghana Limited; Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and Abrantie Amakye Dede, renowned highlife musician, are to be honoured for their dedicated support to the GJA.
For the current administration, even at critical moments, Alex Dadey,
Group Group of Companies; Dr Paul Kofi Fynn, Chancellor of Wisconsin Ghana, and adb Bank, will also be honoured.
The national theme for the commemoration Of WPFD 2025 is: “Celebrating champions of freedom and Ghana’s media growth; building a resilient media in the Al era.
Globally, WPFD is commemorated on May 3, and this year, the global theme for the occasion is: “Reporting in the brave new world— The impact of artificial intelligence on freedom and the media”
The National Executive is extremely grateful to KGL Group Of Companies, Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), National Communication Authority (NCA) Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC), National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and National Security for supporting the event.
All members Of the GJA and media partners are cordially invited to this memorable occasion.
