Samuel Akapule, the Secretary of the 2022 Upper East Regional GJA Award Vetting Committee, has urged journalists in the region to move beyond mere event coverage and focus on writing stories that address the numerous issues affecting the region’s development.
Mr. Akapule, who also serves as a Communications Lecturer at the Bolgatanga Technical University, explained that journalists have the power to bring about significant change if they concentrate on the various challenges in the region. He emphasized that while there is no issue with covering events, journalists should craft stories that provide figures, statistics, and promote change.
Speaking with A1 Radio’s Mark Smith, the Communication Lecturer encouraged journalists who did not receive any awards to prepare themselves for the 2023 edition of the GJA Awards.
“I want to encourage those who did not submit entries or did not win any awards this year to aim high and produce quality stories. The recognition alone is more valuable than the prizes that come with the awards,” he argued.
Meanwhile, the founder of Millar Open University, Professor David Millar, has recommended the establishment of a district and municipal award scheme for journalists in the Upper East Region. This award scheme would be led by the Upper East Regional Branch of the Ghana Journalists Association.
Professor Millar, who also served as the Chairman of the Awards Vetting Committee for the 2022 Upper East Regional GJA Awards, spoke to A1 Radio’s Mark Smith and explained that the district and municipal level award scheme would motivate journalists at that level to contribute to the development of the areas they are situated in.
“There has to be a district-level award system that culminates in the regional level competition. It would provide an opportunity for someone if he or she is in a rural area,” he argued.
Additionally, Professor Millar explained that such schemes could be utilized to provide capacity-building training for journalists at the district level, assist the GJA in its membership drive, and motivate journalists.
The 2022 Upper East Regional GJA Awards held in partnership with the main sponsor – the SHARE Project being implemented by Right to Play, FAWE, FHI 360 and WaterAid Ghana with sponsorship from Global Affairs Canada. Other sponsors are, Afrikids Ghana, Earl International Group (Ghana) Gold Mining Ltd, MTN Ghana, Silas Amoah Foundation, Endswell Pharmacy, Youth Harvest Foundation, VRA/NEDCO, Widows and Orphans Movement, Participatory Action for Rural Development Alternatives (PARDA), Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
