GJA honours veterans

More than 70 veteran journalists and others were honoured for their contribution towards media freedom and development in the country by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) as part of its 70th anniversary celebrations.

The event, which was held in Accra last Saturday, was on the theme: “Democracy, freedom and independence of the media in Ghana: 70 Years of GJA’s contribution”.

Awardees

Those honoured included what the association referred to as the Doyens in Media who have passed away — Messrs Charles Bannerman, Tommy Thompson, Wallace Johnson, Nnamdi Azikiwe, T.B. Ottie and John Kugblenu.

Others were Madam Kate Abbam, Emmanuel Dentu, George Marshal Naykene Snr and Ray Kakraba-Quarshie.

They were recognised as torch bearers and pioneers in the struggle for press freedom.

Ms Ajoa Yeaboah-Afari being decorated by Mr Affail Monney.

Dynamos

Another batch of awardees, referred to as Dynamos of Independence, Freedom and Assertiveness of the Press, was made up of Kabral Blay-Amihere, Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie and Bright Kwame Blewu.

Bulwarks

The late Professor P.A.V. Ansah was rewarded posthumously for being a Bulwark of Freedom and Independence of the Media. Others in that category were Prof. Kofi Kumado, Prof. Kwame Karikari and Dr Charles Wereko-Brobbey.

Stokers and Pokers of Press Freedom

Mr Cameron Duodu, Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Ms Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Abdul-Malik Kweku Baako, Ben Ephson Jnr., Nana Kofi Coomson, Freddy Blay and Jonas Kwakye were recognised as Stokers and Pokers of the Press.

Other awardees under the category were Mike Adjei, Tom Dorkenoo, Dr Yao Graham, the late Cyril Acolatse (posthumously), Alhaji Haruna Attah, Kwaku Sakyi-Addo, the late Komla Dumor (posthumously), Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, Dr Steve Manteaw, Kwasi Twum and Osei Kwame ‘Despite’.

Special contributions

Other personalities who were honoured for their contribution to the development of the GJA and the media were Sir Sam Jonah; the late Okuapehene, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa (posthumously); the late Nana Kwame Korang V, the Omanhene of Awuah Odumase, near Sunyani (posthumously); Hebert Mensah; the late Edward Tengey (posthumously); Madam Frances Ademola; the late G.B.K. Owusu (posthumously); the late Edward Ameyibor (posthumously); Professor Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu and Ambassador David Anaglatey.

The rest were Tsatsu Tsikata, John Ndebugri, George Amissah, Kofi Eshun, the late Kwasi Cabbe-Addae (posthumously), Yonni Kulendi, Kwasi Afriyie Badu, Dr Anthony Bonnah Koomson, Godwin Avenorgbo, Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamekloe, K.T. Dadzie, Joseph Boateng, Dr Kofi Amoah, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh and Mr Akoto Ampaw

The rest were Dr Doris Yaa Dartey, Joe Baidoe-Ansah, Eunice Osei-Bonsu, Yaa Oforiwa Asare-Peasah, Peter Agbeko Jnr, Mathias Tibu, Pedro Pyne, the late Ella Dove (posthumously), Mathew Mac-Kwame, Dr Kweku Rockson, David Voe, Samson Lardi Anyenini, Amakye Dede and his Apollo High Kings and Ebo Cooker and the Western Diamonds.

Special Awards

Special awards were also presented to Dr Kofi Mensah, the Managing Director of ADB; Dr Ben Asante, the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Gas; Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, CEO, VRA; Mrs Mavis Kitcher, Director in charge of News, Graphic Communications Group Limited; Dan Kwaku Yeboah of Peace Power Sports; Kwamena Onumah of GBC Radio; the Ghanaian Times newspaper and Atinka Media Village.