The Northern Region Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has launched its first ever award for practicing journalists in the region.
The award forms part of activities to mark the 70th anniversary of the association. The award is on the theme: ”Promoting Peace in Northern Ghana: The Role of the Media.” The award is aimed at promoting professionalism among journalists in the region.
Speaking at the launch Vice chairman of GJA northern region, Mr Yakubu Abdul-Majeed noted that peace is pivotal to development and prosperity, hence the GJA executives’ determination to help promote absolute peace and unity in the entire north.
The media he acknowledged has a crucial role to play in the sustenance of peace in the area. He said the regional chapter would explore every available means to assist other stakeholders in the region to consolidate the current peace being enjoyed.
With the media considered the fourth arm of government, the executives intend to liaise with identifiable stakeholders to organize a series of training workshops for all practicing journalists in the region in order to deliver quality reporting to society, he stated.
Mr Abdul–Majeed lamented the poor working conditions of journalists in the country saying some offices of some media practitioners in the region are in a broken-down state, with some not having offices at all.
He has called on the government to map out strategies together with media house owners to address the needs of journalists in the region.
The General Secretary of GJA, Mr Kofi Yeboah called for an end to attacks on journalists. He advised individuals or organizations who have issues with journalists to rather resort to National Media Commission or law courts to address their concerns.
A three member committee to supervise the awards was out-doored during the launch. Its members are: Mr Abdallah Kasim-veteran journalist and the Executive Director of Rural Media Network, Mr Fred also a veteran journalist and a deputy registrar at the University for Development Studies(UDS) and Ms Saude Ballo.
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