The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has launched the 2026 Media and Corporate Impact Awards for the Western and Western North regions, with a call for stronger investment in journalists and responsible corporate citizenship.
The awards, scheduled for September 5, 2026, will be held under the theme “Reporting Progress, Investing in People” and seek to recognise journalists whose work has contributed to public accountability, policy discussions and socio-economic development across the two regions.
The initiative, sponsored by the Damang Gold Mine, will also honour corporate organisations whose investments and social interventions have made significant contributions to communities.
Speaking at the launch, the Western Regional Chairman of the GJA, Mr Desmond Cudjoe, described journalism as an essential link between development and the people.
He said development could only have meaningful impact when citizens were properly informed and empowered to demand accountability from duty-bearers.
According to him, journalists continue to play a critical role in documenting developments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, governance, business and environmental protection, often while working under difficult and hazardous conditions.
“Journalists are among the first to arrive when disaster strikes, the first to tell the stories of vulnerable communities and the first to expose wrongdoing,” he said.
Mr Cudjoe, however, expressed concern about the difficult conditions under which many journalists operate, including inadequate resources, poor remuneration and insecurity.
He therefore called for greater investment in the welfare, safety, training and professional development of media practitioners, stressing that strengthening journalists would ultimately promote democracy and accountability.
He said the awards were intended not only to celebrate excellence but also to promote higher standards of journalism, encourage responsible corporate citizenship and strengthen partnerships for regional development.
Mr Cudjoe expressed appreciation to Damang Gold Mine for sponsoring the awards and supporting initiatives aimed at promoting media excellence and community development.
The chairman of the occasion, Nana Nteboa Pra IV, Divisional Chief of Himan-Prestea, also urged stakeholders to take the challenges facing journalists seriously.
He said attacks, intimidation and poor working conditions threatened press freedom and weakened democratic accountability.
Nana Nteboa Pra IV called on media owners to improve the welfare of journalists and invest in their professional development.
He further urged practitioners in the digital media space to prioritise accuracy, balance and responsible reporting rather than sensationalism.
The traditional leader encouraged journalists to continue highlighting both the challenges and opportunities within the Western and Western North regions in order to promote a balanced development narrative.
The 2026 awards will feature categories covering key sectors including infrastructure, fisheries, cocoa and agriculture, oil, gas and energy, environment, education, sports, crime and legal affairs, health, gender and social inclusion, as well as business and labour affairs.
The competition will be open to original journalistic works produced by journalists in the Western and Western North regions between June 2025 and July 2026.
In addition to the media awards, the GJA will present Corporate Impact Awards to organisations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to sustainable development through environmental protection, social investment, employment creation, local governance support and partnerships for community development.
The launch attracted representatives from state institutions, traditional authorities, corporate organisations, civil society groups and development partners, who commended journalists for their contribution to public education and regional development.
