By: Joyce Kantam Kolamong
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in the Northern Region has launched the 2025 Northern Region Journalists Awards, with a call to action for journalists to play a pivotal role in bridging the rural-urban education gap.
Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf, at the launch emphasized the critical role of the media in highlighting educational disparities, advocating for policy changes, and inspiring action to address the challenges faced by rural communities.
The theme for this year’s award, “Bridging the Rural-Urban Educational Gap: The Role of the Media,” aims to spotlight the significant challenges confronting educational institutions, particularly at the basic level. By amplifying the voices of rural communities and highlighting successful educational programmes, the GJA aims to inspire change and empower communities through the stories they tell. Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf urged journalists to go beyond reporting facts and tell the stories behind them, engaging with local communities and presenting their challenges and successes to a broader audience.
“We have the power to raise awareness about educational disparities, advocate for policy changes, and inspire action,” the Minister said. “By doing so, we can foster a sense of solidarity and encourage collaboration between urban and rural areas.”
Northern Regional Chairman of GJA, Abdul Majeed, pledged that journalists in the region will work tirelessly to unearth the challenges facing educational institutions and bring them to the attention of duty bearers to find solutions.
“We will channel our efforts, resources, and managerial abilities to ensure that the challenges are highlighted and addressed,” he said.
Chairperson for the launch, Hajia Wedad Sayibu, who is also the Director of School for Life, called for effective collaboration between the media and civil society organizations to promote development.
The GJA expressed gratitude to its partners, including NEDCO, School for Life, and World Vision, for their support in promoting journalism and education in the Northern Region.
The association appealed for further support to organize a memorable event and to continue its work in promoting the welfare of journalists in the region.
