The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is set to hold its 27th Annual GJA Media Awards on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the Accra International Conference Centre, to celebrate professional excellence in the media fraternity.
The event, which will start at 3 p.m., will feature awards in 34 competitive categories, covering various aspects of journalism such as investigative reporting, health reporting, sports reporting, and photojournalism, among others.
The theme for this year’s awards is: “Leveraging media freedom to sustain the democratic and security architecture: The litmus test of Election 2024”.
According to the General Secretary of the GJA, Mr Kofi Yeboah, the theme reflects the importance of media freedom for the development of democracy and the promotion of national security in Ghana.
The upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in 2024, he said, will be a test of character of the country’s democratic and security architecture and the media has a critical role to play in ensuring a peaceful and credible outcome.
“The media is the watchdog of democracy and the voice of the people. We have a duty to inform, educate and entertain the public without fear or favour. We also have a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in our work. The GJA Media Awards is an opportunity to recognize and reward those who have excelled in this noble profession,” he said.
The keynote speaker for the ceremony will be the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa, who will share her insights on the preparations and challenges for the 2024 elections.
The event will also be graced by other dignitaries such as the Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; the Chairman of the National Media Commission, Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh; and the US Ambassador to Ghana, H. E. Virginia E. Palmer, representatives of local and international media partners, representatives of corporate Ghana, and members of the inky fraternity.
The event will also feature a musical performance by the Ghana Police Band.