TV3 Upper West Regional Correspondent, Ibrahim Abubakari Wangara, has won two prestigious awards at the 2nd Upper West Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards. The awards ceremony was held on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the A&QS Grand View Hotel in Wa, the Upper West Regional Capital. Wangara was adjudged the Best Road Safety Reporter and Best Science and Technology Reporter.
The double victory is a major recognition of Wangara's commitment to impactful and ethical journalism. His reporting focuses on issues that promote public safety, innovation, development, and informed public discourse. This achievement consolidates his growing reputation as one of the youngest promising journalists in the region. Wangara has consistently used his platform to spotlight critical development issues and amplify important stories.
Wangara's success at the second edition of the awards builds on his impressive performance at the maiden edition. During the first edition, he won Best Rural Reporter and Best Tourism Reporter of the Year. With these latest awards, Wangara now has a total of four regional GJA awards across two consecutive editions. This underscores his versatility and sustained commitment to excellence in diverse areas of journalism.
The 2026 awards attracted entries from journalists across the region, with over 25 submissions assessed by a three-member committee. The committee comprised lecturers in journalism and communication. The assessment focused on key professional standards, including compelling headlines, strong introductions, multiple sourcing, quality interviews, coherent presentation, factual accuracy, data references, language proficiency, and balanced reporting.
Wangara was among seven journalists shortlisted for recognition in the competitive regional awards scheme. The scheme seeks to celebrate professionalism, ethical journalism, and excellence in media practice. Other winners included Philip Tengzu of the Ghana News Agency, who won Environmental Reporting, Education Reporting, and the ultimate Regional Journalist of the Year awards.
Additional winners at the ceremony included Ayamga Bawa Fatawu, recognised for Domestic Tourism Reporting, and Kojo Baffour Donkor of the Daily Graphic, who won the Agriculture and Agribusiness Reporting category. Other award recipients were Muniru Ibrahim of Radio Mak for Disability Reporting, Rafiq Nungor Adam of Channel 247 for Health Reporting, and Gladys Wien of Radio Upper West for Human Rights Reporting.
The ceremony, themed "Upholding Media Excellence: Promoting Ethical Journalism, Accountability, and Regional Development," brought together journalists, media practitioners, stakeholders, and dignitaries. The event celebrated excellence and recognised the media's contribution to regional development. For Wangara, the double triumph represents more than personal recognition; it reinforces the importance of specialised reporting in drawing attention to critical societal issues.
Key points
- Ibrahim Abubakari Wangara won two awards at the 2nd Upper West Regional Ghana Journalists Association Awards.
- Wangara now has a total of four regional GJA awards across two consecutive editions.
- The awards ceremony celebrated professionalism, ethical journalism, and excellence in media practice.
