The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has inaugurated a 9-member committee to oversee the 30th GJA Media Awards, scheduled for November 7, 2026. The committee, chaired by Mr. Kobby Asmah, Commissioner of the National Media Commission, will vet entries and submit recommendations to the GJA National Executive. The awards aim to recognize excellence in journalism, with a focus on promoting professionalism and combating hate speech in the digital age.
The committee comprises experienced journalists and media professionals, including Mr. A.C. Ohene, Senior Editor at Adom FM/TV, and Madam Ellen Avorgbedor, former Central Regional Director at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC). Other members include Mr. Richard Mensah, Editor at Citi FM/TV, and Mr. Christian Akorli, former Senior Editor at Ghana News Agency. The committee will review 327 entries from 206 journalists, a significant increase from previous years.
The GJA received entries from various media platforms, including online media, television, print, and radio. The breakdown includes 125 entries from online media, 111 from television, 46 from print, and 45 from radio. Two new categories have been introduced: the New Media Platform Awards and the Governor's Economic and Financial Story of the Year Award, sponsored by the Bank of Ghana.
The 30th GJA Media Awards will be held under the theme "Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age." The theme highlights the critical challenges facing journalism, particularly hate speech and misinformation in the digital space. President John Dramani Mahama will be the Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony in Accra.
The GJA President, Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has condemned alleged attacks on journalists by military personnel during recent demolition exercises. He cited cases of Philip Abutiate of Bullet TV and Kweku Dennis Sika of Sika Official, and gave the Ghana Armed Forces a two-week ultimatum to provide a comprehensive report on investigations and actions taken against personnel found culpable.
The GJA Media Awards, instituted in the early 1990s, remain Ghana's most prestigious platform for recognizing excellence in journalism. The 30th edition is being described as a milestone legacy edition. The launch was attended by dignitaries, including the Chief of Staff, Hon. Julius Debrah, Ministers of State, and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
The GJA President thanked President Mahama for tasking the GJA to lead a national dialogue to address hate speech and other ills in the media ecosystem. The awards ceremony will be graced by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Patron of the GJA, and the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.
Key points
- The GJA has received 327 entries for the 30th Media Awards, with two new categories introduced this year.
- The awards ceremony will be held on November 7, 2026, in Accra, with President John Dramani Mahama as the Special Guest of Honour.
- The GJA President has condemned alleged attacks on journalists by military personnel and given the Ghana Armed Forces a two-week ultimatum to provide a comprehensive report on investigations.
