A Senior Reporter of the Ghanaian Times, Kingsley Asare, was on Friday adjudged the “Best in Finance” at the 7th Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) – Flamingo Awards 2021.
His winning entry titled “Non-tax revenue, crucial for country’s economy” was described as prophetic in relation to the issue of revenue mobilisation which is now topical in the country.
A citation presented to him alongside a plaque read in part: “An excellent case of original, self-generated, and argumentative journalistic work, the author set out to put forward views worth the attention of the managers of the national economy.
“It stood out as a highly informative piece with the potential to influence public policy. The presentation was in clear language and the style reader-friendly. The quality of the reportage was remarkable, given its high mark of accuracy and comprehensive.”
Mr Asare was one of the four journalists who won a total of eight awards at the ceremony in Accra on the theme “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business resilience and recovery in the Ghanaian economy.”
For the second time running, MasahuduAnkiiluKunateh of The African Eye Report won the overall best Business and financial journalist. He won in 2019. There was no award in 2020 due to COVID-19.
He won the “Best in Natural Resource” category and the theme award “Best in the business of health” which is the requirement for a nominee to annex the ultimate award.
In addition to plaques, citations, MacBook, and other prizes, he would embark on an all-expense-paid trip to the International Money Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Spring meeting in April this year.
Other winners were Edward AdjeiFrimpong of the Business and Financial Times (B&FT) who bagged three awards; Best in Local Economy; Best in Tourism; and Best in Agribusiness which earned him a special award for his achievement.
Daily Graphic’s Maclean Kwofie won Best in Business Manufacturing at the annual event aimed to recognise hardworking financial journalists in the country.
Mr Daniel Koomson, a representative of the five-member jury chaired by Prof. John Gatsi, Dean of the University Of Cape Coast School of Business, said 36 entries were received from 14 IFEJ members for nine categories but 10 nominees were shortlisted for seven categories because no entry met the criteria for the two other categories.
He said the criteria set for all the awards included originality, language, clarity, quality, accuracy, ethical standards, balance, and fairness and therefore congratulated winners for distinguishing themselves.
Chairman of the Council for Social Justice and Board Chairman of the Nyaho Hospital,DrSodziSodzi-Tettey, said the pandemic had come with both threats and opportunities and while efforts are made to surmount the challenges, the opportunities should be leveraged.
The World Bank Lead Country Economist, Aurelien Kruse, on behalf of the Country Director, commended journalists for their contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.
The IFEJ President, Ray Bulley, called on corporate Ghana to support the 32-year old institute to carry out its mandate of developing the skills of journalists in business and financial reporting.
BY JONATHAN DONKOR
