For the third consecutive year, the Sexual Health and Reproductive Health (SHARE) Project has emerged as the lead sponsor of the Upper East Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening media collaboration in advancing sexual and reproductive health rights and gender equality.
At the 4th Upper East Regional GJA Awards held in Bolgatanga, Khadija Hamidu, who spoke on behalf of the SHARE Project Consortium, explained that the project’s continued sponsorship of the event stems from its appreciation of the critical role journalists play in shaping public understanding of issues affecting young people, particularly girls.
“I stand here on behalf of the SHARE Project Consortium, which is implemented by Right to Play Ghana, WaterAid Ghana, FHI 360, and FAWE Ghana,” she said. “We continue to sponsor this event because the project helps to remove barriers related to human rights and improve access to sexual and reproductive health education and services for young people, especially girls.”
Ms. Hamidu mentioned that the SHARE project has worked closely with media practitioners in the region, providing training on ethical and gender-sensitive reporting, which has enhanced the visibility of challenges faced by adolescents in accessing reproductive health services.
“This collaboration with the media has brought light to the issues young people face in terms of their sexual and reproductive health. Through your reports, they now have a voice and a channel to share their experiences,” she added.
She commended journalists in the Upper East Region for their dedication to spotlighting community challenges and amplifying the voices of vulnerable groups, emphasizing that such efforts contribute significantly to social development.
“We are happy to celebrate your hard work. Because of your reports, many young people have been heard. We wish all awardees the best and assure the GJA that the SHARE project stands with you. Together, we’ll continue to drive development in the Upper East Region,” Ms. Hamidu stated.
The awards ceremony was held under the theme “Upholding Public Trust: The Role of the Media in Promoting Accountable Governance in the Upper East Region,”.
The Upper East Regional Chairman of the GJA, Albert Sore, on his part, has called on journalists in the region to work harder to provide hope and accountability in their communities through responsible and impactful journalism. Highlighting gender inequality within the profession, Mr. Sore expressed concern over the low participation of women in journalism and their underrepresentation in the awards.
To address this, he announced a new initiative — the HerHeadline Project, which aims to train and empower female journalists in the region to produce more impactful stories and compete fairly in future awards.
Upper East Regional Correspondent for TV3, Castro Senyalah, was adjudged the 2024 GJA Journalist of the Year after winning two other categories – Conflict and Security, and Good Governance and Accountability. Humul-Khrusum Tahiru of A1 Radio was adjudged the Female Journalist of the Year and Gender Reporter of the Year.
Gilbert Azeem Tiroog with GNA was announced the Most Promising Journalist of the Year, having won the Best Water and Sanitation Reporter on the night. The other winners were Joshua Asaah of A1 Radio, Investigative Journalist of the Year, David Azure of A1 Radio, Agriculture; Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh, Environment Reporter, Moses Apiah of A1 Radio, Health and Climate Change, and Gladys Apuweni of GBC-URA aadio, Tourism.
The rest are Peter Agengre of GBC, Education, Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith of A1 Radio, Finance and Economics, Nelson Jose Abagna of GBC-URA Radio, Sports, Nicholas Azebire of Dreamz FM, Human Rights, Halidu Dasmani of Adom TV, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.
Caroline Abisiku, with the Department of Communication and Media Studies at the Bolgatanga Technical University, was also awarded the Student Journalist of the Year.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Bolgatanga
