Citi News’ correspondent, Michael Sarpong Mfum has been adjudged the 2018 Best Health Reporter at the maiden Brong Ahafo Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards.
The awards ceremony was under the theme: “Promoting Responsible Mining: the role of the media.”
Michael Sarpong Mfum’s report “Babies die at St. Theresa’s Hospital over lack incubator” won him the award.
Other award winners at the programme were; Best Journalist, Disability, Feature, Emmanuel Adu-Gyamera, Graphic Group of Companies, Most Promising Journalist, Anass Sabit, Gaskiya FM/Joy FM, Education, William Arthur, UTV, Social Protection and Awareness award, Nana Opoku Piesie, Moonlite FM and Mining, Daniel Dzirasah.
The rest are; Crime and Court, Emmanuel Adu-Gyamfi, Sanitation and Environment, Ali Biya, Graphic Communications Group, Business and Economics, Edward Adjei Frimpong , Business and Financial Times, Agriculture, Robert Tachie-Menson, GNA and Local Governance, Francis Owusu Ansah, The Chronicle, Socio-Cultural, Steven Akwasi Ndo of Gaskiya FM, Techiman and Genevieve Abrefa Yeboah of Classic FM at Techiman.
Space FM took the Best Radio Station, Best Entertainment and Sports award, Best Morning Show Akan, Metro FM, and English Morning Show went to Sky FM.
Other distinguished personalities were given honorary awards.
Speaking at the programme, the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions President of the Ghana Journalists Association, Larry Paa Kwesi Moses noted that the Association would embark on a massive membership drive as the three regions have only 40 members.
He also indicated that the Association is also finalising modalities to acquire a land to start the construction of a Press Centre for the Association in Sunyani.
Mr. Moses noted that some media owners are contributing to the poor Journalistic practice as they engage non-professionals.
The National President of the GJA, Roland Affail Monney urged the media not be afraid to carry out their professional duties and fulfil their constitutional mandate.
Mr. Monney urged the media to shift the programmes from NDC and NPP politics and concentrate on basic things affecting Ghanaians.
“There should be a paradigm move from the obsessive and compulsive NPP and NDC politics to solutions based journalism which should see the media using the power they wield and influence they peddle to address issues like poor sanitation and indiscipline on our roads,” Mr Monney disclosed.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Kwaku Asomah- Cheremeh also speaking at the ceremony noted that government is amending the Minerals and Mining Act 206 to enhance the penalties for illegal mining activities in the country.
Mr. Asomah- Cheremeh noted that the minimum sentence under the new law would be 15 years and maximum would be 25 years.
He noted that the move would go a long way to deter people from engaging in illegal mining in the country.