The Upper East Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is appealing for motorbikes and other logistical support to help journalists reach remote communities where poor roads make access by vehicle difficult.
Regional GJA Chairman Albert Sore said mobility remains a major challenge for journalists covering some parts of the region, with reporters sometimes having to park their vehicles and walk the rest of the journey to reach communities.
“There are places that you can’t take your car to. If you go to the hinterlands… you have to park your car and then walk the rest of the distance because the car cannot go,” he said.
Speaking on Day Break Upper East on A1 Radio on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Mr Sore said the association had considered presenting a motorbike to the Journalist of the Year at this year’s regional awards but could not secure enough sponsorship to make that possible.
“We considered that this year. But we didn’t get the kind of sponsorship that we needed to make that happen,” he said.
He explained that the headline sponsorship from My Turn Ltd and LESKEN Enterprise Ltd has provided significant support towards organising the awards, but using a large portion of the package to purchase a motorbike for one winner could reduce what is available for other award categories.
Mr Sore said the association would welcome additional support specifically targeted at improving journalists’ mobility.
“If somebody calls and says that they’ll give us two motorbikes or three motorbikes, why not? We will be happy and excited to do it because you need to travel,” he said.
He said providing journalists with better means of transport would enable them to reach underserved communities and amplify the concerns of residents who receive little media attention.
“More people need to be reached. More people are in places where nobody even gets to hear their voices,” he said.
Mr Sore also disclosed that sponsors have previously provided equipment, including laptops from Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited, as prizes for journalists. He said the GJA remains open to organisations and individuals willing to support journalists with equipment and other resources.
The 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards currently has My Turn Ltd, LESKEN Enterprise Ltd, KACSTONE Records, Paga Youth Movement and ActionAid Ghana as sponsors and partners.
The awards received 47 entries from 24 journalists and will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, under the theme, “Beyond the Headlines: The Media’s Role in Promoting WASH for Safe Motherhood and Quality Healthcare.”
Mr Sore urged organisations and individuals to view support for journalists as an investment in expanding media coverage to communities whose development concerns might otherwise receive little attention.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Seidu Mutawakil | Bolgatanga
