Story by Richard Kofi Boahen
Daily Graphic’s Biiya Mukusah Ali was crowned the Overall Brong Ahafo Regional Best Journalist for 2024 at the third Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards held in Sunyani last Saturday.
Ali stood out on the night, sweeping three additional awards – Best Agroecology Reporter, Best Political Reporter, and Best Newspaper Reporter – bringing his total to four. His prize package included two laptops, plaques, and citations.
The awards ceremony, held at the Virgin Kourt Hotel, brought together journalists and media professionals from Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions for a night of glitz, inspiration, and recognition. This year’s event, which honoured excellence in 13 categories, was themed: “The Role of the Media as a Tool for Peace Building and Development in the Bono and Ahafo Regions.”
The other seven journalists who won awards at the ceremony are Lawrence Yeboah Gyan of Suncity Radio, who also swept two wards namely: Best Feature Reporter and Best News Anchor (English) with Emmanuel Kwadwo Gyan of Sky FM receiving the Best Feature Reporter (Radio) Award while Claude Kumi Abisa of Onua TV was adjudged the Best Health Reporter.
The rest are Jasmine Akwaboah of Moonlite FM, Best Female Journalist, Michael Sarpong Mfum of Channel One TV, Best Education and Telecommunications Reporter, Samuel Mensah of Peace FM, Best Crime Reporter and Osei Laar of Suncity Radio, Best News Anchor (Twi).
Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Prince Kwadwo Osei of the Cliffmelvyn Limited Company emphasized that the media must not only inform but also shape narratives that foster peace, unity, and inclusive development, adding that: “Journalists are not mere recorders of events; you are active agents of social transformation.”
He said the media should be seen as a tool for peace building, driver of development and fostering partnerships and professionalism.
As a tool for peace building, Mr. Kwadwo Osei, who was the guest speaker for the occasion noted that in view of the fragile nature of peace, especially where competing interests and traditions exist, the media should promote dialogue as means of resolving conflicts, counter misinformation through thorough facts-checking, and avoid sensationalism.
Touching on the media as a driver of development, he encouraged the media to highlight the publication of local stories to promote agriculture, commerce and anchor strategies for the establishment of a special economic zone in Sunyani, Techiman and Goaso.
On building partnerships and professionalism, the guest speaker said the media in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions must make conscious efforts to collaborate with stakeholders such as traditional authorities, civil society, and government to build consensus around peace and progress.
He further entreated them to religiously adhere and further build their capacity through training in investigative reporting, digital journalism, and conflict-sensitive communication to remain relevant in today’s digital era.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Regina Benneh-Siaw, Regional GJA Chairperson, congratulated all award winners, noting that their work “embodies the spirit of journalism at its best.”
She reminded journalists of the media’s dual role as watchdogs of democracy and architects of public discourse. “By promoting accurate, balanced, and responsible reportage, we can help de-escalate conflicts, challenge stereotypes, and build bridges between communities,” she said.
Mrs. Benneh-Siaw stressed that peacebuilding requires not just the absence of conflict, but also the presence of justice, equality, and mutual understanding—values she believes the media is uniquely positioned to promote.
