Journalist of the year, 2016 Kwame Sefe-Kayi recieving a hug from the chiar of the function, Nana Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng
Kwami Sefa Kayi, host of Peace FM’s morning show, ‘Kokrokoo,’ has won the 2016 PV Ansah Journalist of the Year Award at the 22nd edition of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) awards ceremony.
He was recognized for his efforts in promoting maternal and child health.
Mr Kayi used his position as a morning show host to create awareness and solicit support to improve child health care.
Mr Sefa Kayi won a three-bedroom house to be sited in the media village of lead sponsor Koans Estate and an Ashfoam mattress.
He expressed his gratitude to his family, colleagues and his media organization, Peace FM of the Despite Group of Companies, for their support.
The event was attended by government officials, traditional rulers, media regulatory authorities, members of the diplomatic corps and other stakeholders.
President of the Association, Roland Affail Monney, in his welcome remarks, eulogized journalists who died in the line of duty, saying the GJA would always remember their works.
He recounted the commotion that characterized this year’s election which necessitated the postponement of the awards normally held in August.
Mr Monney, who expressed gratitude to members of the inky fraternity for their show of democratic maturity, said the GJA has learnt its lessons and would address all the problems.
He further outlined major activities to improve journalists in the country, especially members of the Association.
He said the unionization of the association will see a membership drive, especially in the private media houses, to negotiate for better working conditions.
“We want the owners of private media houses to cooperate with us on this,” he said.
“We will also from next year have new committees to look at capacity building for journalists.”
Galamsey
Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, who was the guest of honour at the event themed, “Safe Mining and Environmental Protection: The role of the media” denied reports of engaging in ‘galamsey.’
“I have never engaged in ‘galamsey.’ I have never supported anybody neither encouraged anybody…for what gain?” he asked.
He said as title owner for all Akyem lands, it does not make sense for him to oversee the destruction of land bestowed to him by his ancestors.
Osagyefuo commended the GJA for giving him the opportunity to speak on that particular topic.
He, however, called for the momentum of the anti-galamsey initiatives started by President Akufo-Addo to be sustained.
Award Winners
Gina Blay, former president of the Private News Papers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG) and Chief Executive Officer of Western Publications Limited, publishers of DAILY GUIDE, who is currently Ghana’s Ambassador to Germany, was given an honourary award for her immense contributions to journalism in Ghana.
DAILY GUIDE’s Jamila Akweley Okertchiri, who picked four awards previously, won the award for the Best Sanitation and Hygiene Category for print.
She previously won awards in Feature, HIV & AIDS, Health and Disability reporting.
Portia Gabor of TV3 took the Komla Dumor Most Promising Young Journalist of the year Award after she was adjudged the best broadcast journalist in news reporting.
Other awards winners were Alice Aryeetey of GHOne TV, who took home two awards in the child protection and education categories while Seth Bokpe of Daily Graphic won awards for agriculture, features and work in the anti-galamsey fight.
Umaru Amadu Sanda of Citi Fm won an award for the SDGs for broadcast category while several radio stations were recognized for their immense contributions.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri
Pix saved in newdaily as GJA Awards