The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) will on Saturday honour 113 individuals and organisations for their contributions to media freedom, independence and development in the country.
The awardees, which include Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who would be awarded the Champion of Champions of Freedom and Independence of the Media, would be honoured at the 24th Annual GJA Awards ceremony.
The event forms part of the 70th anniversary celebration of the GJA which is under the theme: “Democracy, Freedom and Independence of the Media in Ghana: 70 Years of GJA’s Contribution”.
Some of the awardees are Charles Bannerman, Tommy Thompson, Wallace Johnson, Namdzi Azikiwe, T.B. Ottie, John Kugblenu, Kate Abbam, Emmanuel Dentu, George Marshal Naykene Senior, Ray Kakraba-Quarshie and Henry Ofori also known as Carl Mutti would be award as Torch Bearers and Pioneers of the Struggle for Press Freedom.
In the Dynamos of GJA rejuvenation for professionalism, democracy, freedom independence and assertiveness of the media category, Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, Gifty Affenyi Dadzie and Bright Kwame Blewu would be honoured for their contributions.
The Bulwarks of Freedom and Independence of the media would see late Professor P.A.V. Ansah, Professor Kofi Kumado, Professor Kwame Karikari and Dr Charles Wereko-Brobbey honoured.
Stokers and Pokers of Press Freedom category would see Cameron Duodu, Elizabeth Ohene, AjoaYeboah-Afari, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Malik Kweku Baako, Ben Ephson Jnr., Nana Kofi Coomson, Freddy Blay, Jonas Kwakye, Mike Adjeiand Tom Dorkenoo honoured for their contribution.
Others in the same category include Dr Yao Graham, late Cyril Acolatse, Ambassador Haruna Attah, Kwaku Sakyi-Addo, Komla Dumor, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Dr Steve Manteaw, Kwasi Twum and Osei Kwame Despite.
Under the Special Contributions to GJA Development, Sir Sam Jonah, Okuapemehene Nana Addo Dankwa, Nana Kwame Korang V, Omanhene of Awuah Odumase near Sunyani, Herbert Mensah, late Edward Tengey, Frances Ademola, late G.B.K. Owusu, late Edward Ameyibor, Professor Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Ambassador David Anaglatey, Godwin Avenorgbo, Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamekloe, K.T. Dadzie, Joseph Boateng, Dr Kofi Amoah, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh and Akoto Ampaw would be honoured.
Tsatsu Tsikata, John Ndebugri, George Amissah Kofi Eshun, late Kwasi Cabbe-Addae, Yonni Kulendi, Kwasi Afriyie Badu, Dr Anthony Bonnah Koomson, Dr Doris Yaa Dartey, Joe Baidoe-Ansah, Eunice Osei-Bonsu, Yaa Oforiwa Asare-Peasah, Peter Agbeko Jnr, Mathias Tibu, Pedro Pyne, late Ella Dove, Mathew Mac-Kwame, Dr Kweku Rockson, David Voe, Samson Lardi Anyenini, Abrantie Amakye Dede and his Apollo High Kings, Ebo Cooker and Western Diamonds would also be honoured under the same category.
Unilever, Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), Ashanti Gold Corporation (AGC) now AngloGold Ashanti, M-Net, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), MTN, INNOLINK, Ideal Finance, Volta River Authority (VRA), Kosmos Energy, Stanbic Bank, Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) would be honoured for their outstanding corporate sponsorship.
The Industry Leadership Award would be presented to Osei Kwame Despite while
Space Fm – Bono Region, Class Fm – Bono East, After2 Radio – Ahafo Region, Hello Fm – Ashanti, Radio Upper West-Wa, UraRadio- Upper East, Bryt FM- Eastern Region, Swiss FM – Volta Region, Westend Radio – Western Region, Radio Savanna – Northern Region, NkwaFm- Central Region as best regional stations.
Special awards would also be given to Dr Kofi Mensah, Managing Director, Agriculture Development Bank (ADB), Dr Ben Asante, CEO, Ghana National Gas Company, Emmanuel Antwi- Darkwa, CEO, Volta River Authority (VRA), Mavis Kitcher, Director of News Graphic Communications Group, Dan KwekuYeboah, Peace FM, Kwamena Onumah, GBC Radio, Ghanaian Times and Atinka Media Village.
Mohammed Kamil Baba of TV Africa, Tamale and Samuel Sikayene of Time FM in Obuasi would be honoured with the College of Physicians and Surgeons awards.
BY TIMES REPORTER
