The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has constituted a nine-member committee to vet entries submitted for the 30th edition of the GJA Media Awards, slated for November 7, 2026, in Accra.

The committee, inaugurated by GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour on October 7 during the official launch of the awards, will be responsible for assessing and recommending the best journalistic works for recognition.

The committee is chaired by Kobby Asmah, Commissioner of the National Media Commission (NMC) and former Editor of the Daily Graphic.

Other members are A.C. Ohene, Senior Editor, Special Assignment, Adom FM/TV of the Multimedia Group; Richard Mensah, Editor of Citi FM/TV; and Ellen Avorgbedor, former Central Regional Director of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).

The rest are Christian Akorli, former Senior Editor and Head of the Economics and Financial Desk at the Ghana News Agency; Nana Kwasi Appiah, Senior Photojournalist at the Information Services Department (ISD); Georgina Naa-Maku Quaittoo, Editor of The Spectator; Kingsley Nsiah-Poku, former Deputy Managing Director of Atinka Media Village; and Awudu Mahama, Managing Editor of The Custodian Newspaper.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr Dwumfour charged the committee to uphold the credibility of the awards by conducting its work with fairness, independence, transparency and professionalism.

“We expect its members to approach their work with fairness, independence, transparency and professionalism,” he said.

The committee is expected to independently assess all entries and submit its report and recommendations to the National Executive of the GJA within three weeks for consideration and approval.

327 entries from 206 journalists

According to Mr Dwumfour, the GJA received 327 entries from 206 journalists before the close of submissions.

The figure, he noted, ranks among the highest recorded in recent years.

Online media practitioners submitted 125 entries, followed by television with 111, print with 46 and radio with 45.

The 2026 awards also feature two new categories: the New Media Platform Awards and the Governor’s Economic and Financial Story of the Year Award.

The New Media Platform Awards seek to promote professionalism and excellence among bloggers and new-media practitioners, while the Governor’s Award, sponsored by the Bank of Ghana, is designed to recognise outstanding economic and financial journalism.

The maiden Governor’s Award attracted more than 10 entries.

President Mahama to attend

This year’s awards will be held under the theme: “30th GJA Media Awards: Celebrating Excellence, Advancing Media Freedom and Combating Hate Speech in the Digital Age.”

Mr Dwumfour said the theme reflects the changing media landscape and the growing challenges posed by misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, particularly on digital platforms.

President John Dramani Mahama, a member of the GJA, is expected to attend the ceremony as the Special Guest of Honour.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who is the Patron of the GJA, and the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, are also expected to grace the occasion.

GJA gives military two-week ultimatum

Meanwhile, the GJA President has condemned alleged attacks on journalists by military personnel during recent demolition exercises at Laboma Beach and La Pleasure Beach.

He cited alleged incidents involving Philip Abutiate of Bullet TV and Kweku Dennis Sika of Sika Official.

Mr Dwumfour has consequently given the Ghana Armed Forces a two-week deadline to provide a comprehensive report on investigations into the incidents and actions taken against personnel found culpable.

He warned that failure to provide a satisfactory response within the stipulated period would compel the GJA to escalate the matter through legal, institutional and public accountability channels.

“Failure by the Ghana Armed Forces to provide a satisfactory report within the two-week period will leave the GJA with no option but to escalate the matter through all appropriate legal, institutional and public accountability channels,” he cautioned.

30th edition marks major milestone

The GJA Media Awards, instituted in the early 1990s, have become one of Ghana’s most prominent platforms for recognising excellence and professionalism in journalism.

The 30th edition is being positioned as a milestone legacy celebration, bringing together leading figures from the media, government, diplomatic community and corporate sector.

The launch was attended by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, Ministers of State, members of the Diplomatic Corps, corporate partners including KGL Group, and senior journalists.

Mr Dwumfour also commended President Mahama for entrusting the GJA and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) with the task of leading a national dialogue on hate speech and other challenges affecting Ghana’s media ecosystem, particularly on new-media platforms.