The host of Citi FM’s Breakfast Show, Bernard Korku Avle has been adjudged Journalist of the Year at the 23rd GJA Awards night, held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
Bernard Alve and his station’s morning show, the ‘Citi Breakfast Show’, were among thirty-six Journalists, Media Institutions and Organizations who were honoured.
Citi morning show won the Best Radio Morning Show Programme.
The 37-year old Bernard Koku Avle who won the PAV Journalist of the Year, took home a cash prize, a three bedroom house, as well as an SUV.
Mr. Avle expressed gratitude to veterans such as Abdul Malik Kweku Baako and Dr.Charles Wereko Brobbey who toiled for media pluralism and press freedom in the 90s.He remarked, their ceiling-shattering efforts have made the practice of journalism easy.
More than 40 Ghanaian journalists and some media houses were also honoured for their outstanding works in various catergories.
Amongst those who received awards are the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GBC’s Rebecca Ekpe, picked a prize in Human Rights reporting and Peggy Ama Donkor of GTV, won Features Television category, Aryeetey of GH One Television picked the most promising female Journalist of the year award. GBC’s OBONU Station was awarded.
Other Award winners include Ceaser Abagali of the GNA who picked a prize in Sanitation and Hygiene, Metro TV`s Good Morning Ghana programme which was adjudged the Best Morning Show on Television and Daily Graphic which was adjudged the best newspaper.
The GJA also conferred honorary awards on some personalities who have contributed immensely to the growth of the media industry.
Dr. Nana Osei Kwame “Despite”, Dr Ernest Ofori Sarpong, Samuel Amo Tobbin, Papa Kwesi Nduom, Kwasi Twum and Commissioner of Police (COP) George A. Dampare, were the recipients.
The Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo who was the Guest Speaker said the use of subterfuge in journalism must be used advisedly in the public interest and within the confines of the law.
The Minister for Information designate, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, noted that Ghana`s Press Freedom credentials being touted the world over is not a fluke but well deserved.
He condemned recent attacks on journalists especially the killing of Jamal Kashooggi and brutalities on Latif Iddrisu of Joy FM in Ghana, describing those acts as evil, adding that journalism is not a crime.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association Roland Affail Monney observed, that Article 13 of the GJA code of Ethics requires that the journalist obtains information, videos, data, photographs and illustrations only by honest, straight forward, fair and open means unless otherwise tempered by public interest considerations.
He cautioned journalists against intruding into people`s privacy, grief or distress unless justified by an over riding consideration of public interest.
The Eight-Member Awards Committee Chaired by Dr. Doris Yaa Dartey indicates that the Awards are being given based on accuracy, balance, relevance, potential impact, language presentation, uniqueness, variety and quality of sound bite.
Story by Ruth Abla Adjorlolo
