Kwesi Agyei Annim crowned 2019 best journalist in Western Region (VIDEO)

Citi News’ correspondent, Theophilus Kwesi Agyei Annim, has been declared the Best Journalist in the Western Region at a maiden edition of the Ghana Journalists Association (Western Region) branch awards ceremony in Takoradi last Saturday.

Annim was recognised for his commitment to work, high sense of professionalism, accuracy in reporting and delivery, upholding ethics of the profession and being vocal in championing journalists’ cause among other attributes, the citation accompanying the award said.

The event was on the theme: “Redefining corporate social responsibility; Moving from handout to legacy projects, the role of the gatekeeper.”

Some media houses also received honorary awards for their contribution to national development, while 20 retired journalists in the region were also presented with a year's comprehensive medical insurance package to enable them to access free health care.

Read also: Medical Insurance for 20 retired journalists in Western Region

Other awardees

Benedicta Esi Brew Monney of Space F, was adjudged the Best Female Journalist, while Ina Thalia Quansah of Radio Maxx in Takoradi, who also reports for the Multimedia Group in Accra, picked up three awards the Most Promising Young Journalist, Best in General News Reporting and Best Rural Reporter.

PHOTO: Benedicta Esi Brew Monney receiving her award as the Best Female Journalist

Marie Aziz Tunde of Twin City Radio, Best in Education Reporting; Charles Egyir of UTV, Best in Illegal Mining; Kojo Fletcher of Best FM and MordernGhana, Best in Responsible Mining; Eric Yaw Adjei of TV3, Best in Environmental Reporting, and Alfred K. Adams of The Chronicle, Best in Political Reporting.

The rest were Erica A. Addo of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Best Court Reporter, and Nana Adwoa Entsuah of Empire FM, Best in Health Reporting.

PHOTO: Ina Thalia Quansah receiving her award as the Most Promising Young Journalist from Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minister.

Honorary awards were presented to Skyy Power, Twin City Radio, Connect FM and Radio Shama. Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson also received a honorary Radio Personality of the Year award, while Daniel Kaku of Ghanaweb, and the Chief Superintendent of Police, Mr Richard Appiah, in charge of the Western Regional Command of the Police Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD), were also recognised for their dedication to duty.

Below is a video of the awards ceremony

Commendation

The Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, who chaired the function, commended the organisers for the awards and the recognition given to retired journalists who served in the region.

He also expressed satisfaction in the criteria used in selecting the award winners, saying “looking at the feeling in Takoradi, it seems to me that the Western Region journalists are satisfied with the way and manner that the selection process was conducted”.

The chairman, therefore, suggested that such a selection system could be used in choosing journalists for national awards.

He said tapping the technical expertise of non-journalists, coupled with professional guidance and advice, could lead to consensus in arriving at the selection of national award winners who would be acceptable to all.

PHOTO: Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, Chairman of NMC 

Benefits

The Chief Executive of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Mr Sulemanu Koney, urged journalists to ensure that host communities in mining areas benefited more from extractive companies.

"Journalists must, therefore, position themselves to be part of the discourse on the determination of appropriate initiatives that can bring about real change in the lives of our people," he added.

Also in attendance were the Western Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for Takoradi, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah; and the national executive of the GJA, led by its President, Mr Roland Affail Monney.

Sponsors of the event included Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tullow Ghana, Ghana Manganese Limited, Ghana Gas, Raybow Hotel, MTN, Kosmos Energy and Springfield Group.

Attached below is the full address delivered by Mr Sulemanu Koney at the awards ceremony, which had the Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh as chairman.

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh 

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