An Application by the office of the Special Prosecutor to freeze bank accounts and assets of former Minister of sanitation and water resources Cecilia Dapaah has been thrown out. Justice Edward Twum in his ruling held that he finds no reasonable ground for which the OSP froze the bank accounts of the respondent. The court further held that the freezing of the accounts was done without any legal basis and the court in the interest of fairness, cannot confirm the freezing of those accounts as it was not done fairly. On the seizure of monies discovered in the home of Cecilia Dapaah, the court held that the OSP did not provide any justifiable grounds for its decision to seize the monies discovered in the home of Cecilia Dapaah. The court further noted that the actions of the Office of the Special Prosecutor in freezing the accounts of Madam Cecilia Dapaah and seizing monies discovered in her home was reactionary in response to public sentiments and not based on any investigative done by the OSP. Credit: News Ghana

Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan Kyerematen has described the attack suffered by his agent during the Super Delegates Congress of the party few days ago as senseless. The unfortunate attack left Ali Zakaria, an agent of Alan Kyerematen in the Upper East Region beaten and left with an eye swollen. Speaking to the media, Alan Kyerematen said "The assault of my agent was senseless and I would not tolerate such acts" “What happened to my colleague on Saturday was an act of total indiscipline and indecent behaviour. We all joined the NPP because of our commitment to the values of the party, but what is happening clearly shows that this is not what we bargained for by joining the party. “I’m frankly very disturbed about what has happened….I’m not going to tolerate this kind of behaviour, it doesn’t make sense and when we cannot conduct ourselves as a family trying to select a leader in a peaceful and organised manner, how do we intend to be able to do the same kind of process when we have two hundred thousand plus people gathered,” The former Trade and Industry Minister has however assured his agent saying tye necessary health care will be given to him. Mr. Alan Kyerematen, after tge Super Delegates Congress secured enough votes which has earned a slot to be part of tye top 5. A vote on November among the top 5 will tell who will lead the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) as its Flagbearer in the 2024 Presidential election. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

New Patriotic Party flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has stated that his immediate reaction to alleged incidents of threats and intimidation saved the life of an agent who represented him in the North East Region during the party’s Special Delegates Conference. The Assin Central Member of Parliament in the early hours of Saturday, August 26, 2023 was captured on video expressing fury over some treatment being meted out to his agents. In his moment of anger, Agyapong was heard saying he was going to give President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia who is also a candidate in the race a “showdown” over the incident. Reacting for the first time following varied public reactions to his outburst, Kennedy Agyapong in a Twitter post said his actions on Saturday saved the life of one of his agents. He described the treatment of his agents as a case of injustice.“I reacted against injustice and that saved the life of GANIU one of my polling station agents in North East,” he tweeted. Accompanying his post was the testimony of one of his agents for North East Region, Ganiu who shared his story of threat, intimidation and inducement at the polling station during the election. “When the people were lining up to vote they were all showing their vote to the next person following them. After voting, the first three people showed their votes to each other, confusion erupted at the turn of the fourth person who is the regional youth organiser. When that happened, I had been told by my superior, the national campaign manager not to sign the pink sheet" “Then the regional chairman said they are going to give us some amount of money, GHC2000. I said no, we are not there for money and he insisted that they were going to increase the amount but I said no, whatever amount they were going to give, we were not ready for it" “So, afterwards we told him we are leaving, myself and the agent of Hon Kyerematen and Kojo Poku’s agent. Then he run and locked the door asking that we better go and sign, if we don’t sign, we were not going to leave the hall.“Then I said chairman we will not sign because we are under supervision, unless they kill us… He even told us that if we go out, he will allow boys to attack us,” Ganiu alleged during a press conference held by Ken’s campaign team on Monday. In his immediate statement after Saturday’s election, Kennedy Agyapong said he felt proud and motivated by the support in his camp in the “heat of backbiting, intimidation, and smeared campaign” he suffered and is hopeful of clinching victory in the party’s general delegates election slated for November 4, 2023. The August 26 election was aimed to pruning the number candidates in the party’s flagbearer race from 10 to five. Kennedy Agyapong came second with some 132 votes behind vice president Bawumia who polled 629 votes out of the total votes of over 900. Credit: One Ghana Tv

The Disciplinary Committee of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), on Tuesday August 29, 2023 grilled the flag bearer hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong for close to five hours over his showdown comment. Mr. Kennedy during the just ended special delegates stated that he will challenge President Akufo-Addo and his Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia anytime. Speaking in a telephone call the Assin Central lawmaker questioned why his agent should be chased out the election grounds. The Disciplinary Committee of the party in its bid to solve the challenges that bedeviled the elections summoned Mr. Kennedy Agyapong and others to answer questions over comments they made during and after the elections. The General Secretary added that the leadership of the party unequivocally condemns isolated incidents and emphasizes their unwavering commitment to the integrity and fairness of the election process. “Pursuant of Article 10 (7) of the NPP Constitution, certain individuals namely; Mr. Rahpael Patrick Sarfo, Mr. Charles Dokyi Yaw-Addo, Mr. Musa Sulemana, Mr. Hopeson Yaovi Adorye will be referred to the Party’s Disciplinary Committee. “Emphasis must also be placed on the fact that Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong pursuant to the above mentioned constitutional provisions, will also be summoned before the Disciplinary Committee of the Party to provide responses and further details to the accusations and threats he made against certain personalities in a video that has since gone viral on social media and mainstream media,” Mr. Kodua stated. However, Mr. Agyapong honored the invitation from the Disciplinary Committee who subjected the outspoken politician with several questions at the Party’s Headquarters in Accra which took some hours before he was released. He declined to comment on what transpired during the meeting but assured of holding a press conference later. Credit: Starfmonline

A group of army officers in the central African nation of Gabon say they have overthrown the government of President Ali Bongo. The officers announced the coup early Wednesday morning on national television channel Gabon 24, just moments after the nation’s election commission had announced that President Bongo had won a third term in Saturday’s general elections. The group said that the election results were invalidated, all state institutions dissolved and all borders closed until further notice. "We have decided to defend the peace by putting an end to the current regime," one of the officers said. Bongo first took office in 2009, after the death of his father, Omar Bongo who had become president in 1967. Saturday’s elections were overshadowed by a lack of international observers, raising concerns about transparency. Afterward, Bongo’s government curtailed internet service and imposed a nightly curfew across the nation, saying it was necessary to prevent the spread of misinformation Gunfire was heard throughout Gabon’s capital, Libreville, after the television appearance. The declared coup comes on the heels of last month’s military overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger, the latest in a series of coups across West and Central Africa since 2020. President Bongo survived an attempted military takeover in January 2019 as he was recovering from a stroke. Credit: VOA News

Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended the cancellation of the fumigation contracts between waste management company, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, and the metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs). The Committee said the cancelation of the contract has become necessary because the assemblies cannot “vouch” for the integrity and composition of chemicals used during the fumigation process. “The Committee observed with concerned (sic) that the Fumigation contract between the Assemblies and Zoomlion Company may result in waste of Public Funds since it is difficult for the Assemblies to vouch for the chemicals being used by the Company for the fumigation exercise.” The verification exercise is difficult for the assemblies and auditors too, the committee says. “The Committee is therefore recommending to the Assemblies to not renew the contracts when the existing Agreements expire,” it concluded. This recommendation is contained in the committee’s report on the Auditor-General’s report on the management and utilization of the District Assemblies Common Fund and other Statutory Funds for the year ending 2020. The report was adopted by Parliament on July 11, 2023. The Committee’s recommendation has been the crusade of some assembly members and officials in the country. In 2017, for instance, the then District Environmental Officer of Kpandai in the Northern Region, Thomas Nkpetri, said the centralisation of the Zoomlion contract robbed the assemblies of their supervisory roles. “Fumigation in particular, I believe the effect of it is not being seen. You know how our township is and the rainy season and when the place becomes wet, they are a lot of stagnant water bodies in the system. But on the whole, whether the impact is being felt, I don’t believe so.” His concerns were reechoed by Matthew Dzakpa Mumuni, the Northern Region Environmental Health officer, who said, “Frankly, the chemicals that they used, I have not seen it before, but it’s a concern that there’s the need for us to know.” The assemblies say they were pressured to sign the contracts with Zoomlion and payments for the contract are carried out in Accra. The District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) Secretariat deducts money from the assemblies’ share of the Common Fund and pays Zoomlion directly in Accra, whether or not the contract is carried out in the districts. Zoomlion received GHS 469,219,550 since 2015 for the fumigation exercise Data from the DACF show that Zooomlion Ghana Limited has been paid GHS 469,219,550 in the last eight years, for the work the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee calls “wastage of Public Funds.” This contract has been running since 2010. Zoomlion also receives about GHS 20 million every month for “managing” sweepers at the markets and public places in the assemblies. This contract is between Zoomlion and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA). The money is deducted as source and paid to the company. The assemblies do not control the payment. Despite being paid this amount monthly, Zoomlion Ghana Limited in its budget pegs the cost of each worker at GH₵ 600  per month, but the company pays each worker GH₵ 180 and keeps the rest of the GH₵ 420 as management and logistics fees. In February 2022, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin directed the Employment and Labour Relations Committee, to investigate the matter. When the sweepers of the markets collect and put the refuse in communal containers, Zoomlion Ghana Limited has separate contracts with all the assemblies in Ghana to lift the container to the final disposal sites. This contract is called the Sanitation Improvement Package (SIP). This contract has existed since 2007 and even though the assemblies have expressed worries about its effectiveness, payment is made at the DACF. Zoomlion’s ongoing contract with the government Zoomlion GH. Ltd has two major contracts with the various MMDAs across the country, currently running – Sanitation Improvement Package (SIP) and Fumigation – aside from the Youth in Sanitation contract. The SIP/YEA contracts were first signed under John Agyekum Kufuor’s administration and have been running despite many investigative reports and adverse findings against them by the Auditor-General. The Auditor-General (A-G), in its annual report on the management and utilization of the District Assemblies Common Fund and other Statutory Funds, has, on countless occasions, cited Zoomlion for various contract breaches. In most cases, the A-G recommended a stoppage of payments to the company and a refund of monies it undeservedly received. In some cases, it recommended an abrogation of the contracts. Irene Naa Torshie Addo, Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), and all assemblies across the country have been directed to discontinue payments to  Zoomlion for fumigation. However, the DACF administrator continues to deduct from the assemblies’ share of the DACF at source and pay to Zoomlion without even ascertaining, in almost all cases, whether the company has rendered services to, or has valid contracts with the assemblies to merit the payments. This has resulted in payments made to the company for no work done. In a number of cases, payments were made without contractual agreements. “In outdoor spaces, large-scale spraying or fumigation in areas such as streets or open market places for the COVID-19 virus or other pathogens is not recommended. Prez Akufo-Addo authorised fumigation exercise A Zoomlion truck sprayed the streets as part of the fumigation exercise in 2020 which the WHO described as inefficient. In 2020, while Zoomlion Ghana Ltd was already being paid for its fumigation contracts in all assemblies across the country, President Akufo-Addo authorised the award of a contract to Zoomlion Ghana Ltd to fumigate schools, markets, and other public places to fight Covid-19. This was contrary to caution from the World Health Organisation that the measure was ineffective in the fight against the virus. The so-called Covid-19 fumigation cost Ghana about GHS 500 million. In addition, the District Assemblies Common Fund also paid Zoomlion Ghana Limited GHS 61,962,000.00 in 2020 for fumigation. What the World Health Organisation says about Zoomlion-like fumigation contract in 2020. Issuing a notice on how countries may contain the deadly COVID-19, the World Health Organisation said outdoor and large-scale spraying in markets or streets was not recommended. “In outdoor spaces, large-scale spraying or fumigation in areas such as streets or open market places for the COVID-19 virus or other pathogens is not recommended. Streets and sidewalks are not considered routes of infection for COVID-19. Spraying disinfectants, even outdoors, can be noxious for people’s health and cause eye, respiratory, or skin irritation or damage,” the caution, issued on March 31, 2022, said. Some officers of Zoomlion Ghana Ltd preparing for a fumigation exercise in 2020. Research and Policy Analyst at Policy Think Tank, Imani Ghana, Bright Simons, said at the time that the decision to contract Zoomlion Ghana Limited for a fumigation exercise was driven by commercial interest rather than public health interest. Then Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Osei Bonsu Amoah told the media that he agrees with the assertion. “Whoever says this spraying kills the virus is not being truthful. The spraying only coincided with the coronavirus,” he said in a media interview. Please In 2017, an investigative report by JoyNews reporter, Manasseh Azure Awuni, now The Fourth Estate’s founding Editor-In-Chief, unearthed fresh allegations of corruption against the Jospong Group, the parent company of Zoomlion Ghana. The report revealed that the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development had, in 2015, signed contracts worth GH¢98 million with 11 other subsidiaries of the Jospong Group of Companies to undertake fumigation exercises across the country when Zoomlion Ghana Limited had already been paid by the district assemblies and the Ministry of Health to do the same job through multiple contracts. In 2016, a similar contract worth GHS 96 million was again awarded to the Jospong Group but there was no evidence of work done. The police investigated these scandals and submitted dockets to the Attorney-General but nothing came out of the investigation. Manasseh’s “Robbing the Assemblies” investigation further exposed how the Jospong Group of Companies had inflated the cost of a waste bins contract awarded to it through sole-sourcing by at least GH¢130 million. The 2020 Auditor-General’s Report recommended the retrieval of GHS 95 million cedis from Zoomlion’s sister company, Sewerage Systems GH. Ltd. The Auditor-General said the government had paid the money to the company without any contractual arrangement. The government did not retrieve the money but proceeded to pay more to the company. The Finance Ministry’s response to an RTI request by The Fourth Estate revealed that the Akufo-Addo government had disbursed GH¢156 million from the Sanitation and Pollution Levy imposed on Ghanaians to Sewerage Systems GH. Ltd. The Auditor-General ordered the Administrator of the DACF, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, to recover the funds which went into waste treatment plant construction by the Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited (SSGL). SSGL has been receiving the funds since 2016 without any legal backing, the Auditor-General said. However, the payment of GHc 19 million in 2020, being an outstanding amount for the GHS 95 million, triggered an enquiry by the Auditor-General. For the years 2021 and 2022, even though the company committed similar contractual breaches resulting in financial losses to the state, the A-G failed to quantify the value of the losses. Credit: The Fourth Estate

Information reaching Thinknewsonline.com indicates that the Former Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology under the Late President Mills administration, Late Dr. Sherry Ayittey will be laid to rest on November 10. In a communique signed by the Chairman of Media Committee of the NDC, Godwin Ako Gunn, he said "In Loving Memory of the late Hon Dr. Sherry Ayittey- 1948 - 2023. Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." The Nii Akwetey Atsu Ayi We of Osu Alata, in conjunction with the leadership of the NDC, wish to announce the funeral of their late mother, sister, and colleague Aunty Sherry would be held in Accra. The communique also revealed that tributes & song ministration will be held thursday, 9th November, 2023. Mr. Ako Gunn further noted that the burial & funeral ceremony of Late Dr. Sherry Ayittey will be held on Friday 10th November, 2023. "Thanksgiving Service - Sunday, 12th November 2023" He added that further details will be communicated later. Background Sherry Ayitey was a Ghanaian politician, former Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, former Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development as well as the Minister for Health from February 2013 to June 2014. She had been an active member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Late Dr. Sherry Ayittey attended Labone Senior High School and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Master of Science in industrial microbiology from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi. She was a fellow of the American universities of management, namely, the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, and Kellogg Graduate School of Management. She was involved with the 31st December Women's Movement, a nongovernmental organization affiliated to the NDC, whose president is Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, wife of Jerry Rawlings, former President of Ghana. She was the Projects and Programmes Officer of the organization. After the NDC lost the Ghanaian presidential election in December 2000, the New Patriotic Party came to power with John Kufuor forming his government. Various NDC activists stood trial for different reasons. Late Sherry Ayitey was put on trial with Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings in relation to the divestiture of the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited. After the National Democratic Congress won the 2012 December elections, Late Dr. Sherry Ayittey was appointed Minister of Health. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Office of the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has rubbished claims that he is the fourth richest man in Ghana. According to the Office of the NDC Flagbearer, the public should pay attention to such false information. In a communique signed by Special Aide to the Flagbearer, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, she said "The Office of HE John Dramani Mahama has been made aware of false publications claiming that the former President is the fourth richest person in Ghana and worth around $900 million" "We wish to state categorically that the publications are entirely false and baseless. Mr. Mahama vehemently denies the claims, which he considers yet another attempt to discredit his reputation, cause disaffection for him, and undermine his leadership of selfless service" The communique also added that such malicious false publications were obvious from political opponents as Ghana approaches the 2024 general elections, of which candidate John Mahama will win. "It is obvious that this publication is part of a deliberate and discredited strategy by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to spread lies and seek to generate public disaffection for the leader and flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)— a man in whom many Ghanaians have expressed their confidence and are looking forward to his visionary leadership from January 07, 2025" "We urge Ghanaians to disregard this false claim and any similar future publications. Instead, we encourage the public to focus on holding the nonperforming NPP government accountable for its gross mismanagement of the economy and dissipation of state resources. "President Mahama remains committed to an issue-based campaign that seeks to salvage our country from the incompetent, inept and terrible administration of Akufo-Addo and Bawumia" Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) says it will be sponsoring this year's 'Crime/Court Reporting category of the upcoming 27th GJA Media Awards. Executive Director of EOCO, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah made this known while speaking to the media at the launch of the 27th GJA Media Awards in Accra on Thursday. She said "EOCO will sponsor an award in the crime reporting category. We are so passionate about especially when you look at the emerging crime, cyber related crime, economic and organised crime, anti-human trafficking and anything that is organised" "I am here to affirm my Board Chair's commitment to assure GJA that this year's award, EOCO is part of it and will and will want to sponsor this category, Crime/Court reporting" "We cannot fight crime alone especially these emerging crimes where the world has become like a global village, where someone can sit in the comfort of his home or office and commit crime. How do we let people know what they have to do and what not to do" She also noted that fighting crime in Ghana is a collective responsibility. "Especially when it comes to you taking your own security into your own hands, cyber related, we need to be very careful and these are the areas that we want the reporting to hammer on so that we will take the platform to educate the public" "We can't leave everything in the hands of the law enforcement but because we have law enforcement, we will allow the crime to be committed and the law enforcement will now go and be chasing perpetuators of these crime" "We should take our personal, online security in our own hands" COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquuah assured Journalists that her outfit is ever ready to liase with the media to ensure that accurate reportage and proper education are disseminated to the general public. The Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) on Thursday launched its 27th GJA Media Awards in Accra. The GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour hinted that the event is scheduled for October 28th, 2023 at 6pm. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Attah appears to be on a massive spree to correct the wrongs in the roads sector. In recent times, the minister has been captured, publicly rebuking persons who have been caught involved in acts that compromise the work of his sector and affect roads. Most recently, he rebuked and arrested some illegal miners whose activities near a mine site were causing gridlock and spreading mud on the tarred road in Akrofufu in the Atiwa West District in the Western region. In a more recent video captured by graphic, Mr. Amoako-Attah has described some staff and members of his ministry as thieves and corrupt. According to him, these elements put their selfish interests above that of the country and this reflects in their failure to ensure the right thing is done at all times. “There are a lot of corrupt people, there are a lot of thieves in my ministry. You sack them, you employ new ones, and when they come, the new ones are even worse than the old ones that you sacked, what kind of country are we building for ourselves? “I don’t know what people want, we will die and leave everything behind. All of us, those who came before us are all gone. We heard the big names, people with money and wealth, where are they? Look at what we are seeing and we are citizens of this country,” he said. The minister who was visibly upset about freight vehicles which park their goods along many roads in Ghana said some of these actions are going on as a result of the refusal and failure of elements in his ministry to apprehend culprits and met out the necessary punishments. “And these drivers, what they cannot do in their country, they do it here with impunity because people choose money over protecting the roads. “We have people in my own ministry involved. We have fought these wars for years and we don’t seem to win,” he added. Credit: Ghanaweb

A 38-year-old electrician who has been arrested for allegedly strangling his 20-year-old girlfriend to death at Kpone Bawaleshie in the Greater Accra Region has been remanded by the Kaneshie District Court. Kwame Krappah, aka Awana, according to the prosecution, tied his girlfriend’s (now deceased) neck from behind with a blue nylon rope and strangled her. He was then alleged to have had sex with the dead body before burying it in the neighbourhood. The accused was arraigned on a provisional charge of murder and had his plea preserved by the court pending further directives on the case docket. The Magistrate, Her Worship Ama Ama Adomako Kwakye, has adjourned the case for Krampa to reappear on September 5, 2023. Brief facts It was the case of Chief Inspector Margaret O. Boadi, the prosecutor, that the complainant, Joyce Ago, was a trader, while the accused person was an electrician and also a plumber. Chief Insp. Boadi said, both the complainant and Krappah resided at Bawaleshie, and that, the complainant was the mother of the deceased, Judith Kpeglo. Chief Insp. Boadi said, on July 11, 2023, the deceased, who was a pupil teacher at a school at Kpone Bawaleshie, left home for work at the school but did not return. According to the Prosecutor, on July 17, 2023, the complainant reported the missing of her daughter (deceased) to the Police and upon intelligence led to the arrest of Krampah, who was the deceased’s boyfriend. The Prosecutor said investigations discovered that on July 11, 2023, at about 2:00 pm, the deceased left the school to buy food and went to the accused person’s house to eat it. She said the deceased, after eating, requested GH¢200 from the accused to braid her hair, and he (accused) gave it to her. Chief Insp. Boadi said that after she was done eating, the deceased told Krappah that she was going back to the school, and without any provocation, Krappah attacked the deceased from behind with a blue nylon rope and strangled her. The Prosecutor said that on the same day, at about 10:00 p.m., Krappah dug a grave on a nearby plot and buried the deceased. The prosecutor said Krappah admitted the offense and led the Police to the spot where he allegedly buried the deceased. He said an order was obtained from a court, and the body was exhumed and deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy. His children's future is more important to him than having a roof over his head | Everyday People In this edition of Everyday People, Abigail speaks to a shoemaker who toils daily to ensure his children stay in school. He sends the money he makes from his trade back home to his family in Bekwai when he doesn't even have a roof over his head in Accra Credit: Starfm

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has launched its 27th GJA Media Awards in Accra. According to GJA, the awards is scheduled for Saturday October 28 2023 at 6pm. Speaking to Journalists in Accra on Thursday, GJA President, Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour said "The GJA Media Awards is organized annually to achieve one of the key objectives of the Association under Article 3(j) of the GJA Constitution 2004, which mandates the National Executive to “Reward and honour outsanding members periodically”. He revealed that this year’s awards theme “LEVERAGING MEDIA FREEDOM TO SUSTAIN THE DEMOCRATIC AND SECURITY ARCHITECTURE: THE LITMUS TEST OF 2024 ELECTIONS” was chosen to prepare journalists for the impending crucial elections in 2024. “We want journalists to be well-prepared for their upcoming duties and to provide extensive, thorough, and impartial election coverage in order to mark yet another milestone in our democratic dispensation” He explained further that per the dictates of the GJA Constitution, the current administration of the Association is very much committed to the promotion of professional excellence and high journalistic standard. “It is in this light that the GJA is delighted about the exploits of Paa Kwesi Asare of Media General in winning this year’s BBC New Komla Dumor Award. This is the first time a Ghanaian journalist has emerged as the winner in the eight-year history of the prestigious award in honour of the renowned Ghanaian broadcast journalist, Komla Dumor”, he said. He advised Journalists to submit their nominations within the stipulated times as there is not going to be an extension. Below is the full statement and Awards category. GHANA JOURNALISTSASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEDIA AWARDS 2023 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS& RULES The competition is open to members in good standing who are working in the print (including news agency), electronic and online media in Ghana. The competition is open for works published in 2022. Members of the National Executive and the GJA Media Awards Committee are not eligible to contest. Entries should cover works published from Januaryl, 2022 to December31, 2022. Entrants may submit entries for a maximum of two categories, and not more than two published works should be submitted for each category. However, one work shall not be entered in more than one category. Entrants should submit clear, original published work of each entry. Entrants must upload a clear passport size photo for their entries. Student journalists must upload a scanned copy of their Student ID Card for their entries. Entrants are advised to secure strong Internet connection to ensure easy and fast uploading of entries. The deadline for submission of entries is at September 8, 2023. Entries/Nominations should be titled ‘GJA MEDIA AWARDS 2023’ The GJA is NOT bound to give an award in a category if it does not merit one. The Awards Committee shall select the overall best story from the various categories for consideration by the National Executive as winner of the P. A. V. Ansah Journalist of the Year. The Awards Committee shall select the best story by a female journalist from the various categories for consideration by the National Executive as winner of the Best Female Journalist of the Year. The Awards Committee shall select the best story by a young journalist from the various categories for consideration by the National Executive as winner of the Komla Dumor Most Promising Journalist of the Year. The Awards Committee shall select the best story by a student journalist from the various categories for consideration by the National Executive as winner of the Best Journalist of the Year. BIO DATA NAME DATE OF BIRTH MEDIA ORGANISATION POSTAL ADDRESS EMAIL ADDRESS REGION OF WORK TYPE OF MEDIA (State-owned / Private-owned) NATURE OF MEDIA (Print / Television / Radio / Online) DATE OF PUBLICATION OF STORY (January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022) DATE OF ENTRY FOR AWARDS AWARDS CATEGORIES DIVISION ONE (SEPARATE AWARDS) i. NEWS (Print, Television, Radio, Online) ii. FEATURES (Print, Television, Radio, Online) iii. DOCUMENTARIES (Television, Radio) COLUMNIST (Print) DIVISION TWO (BEATS) (One award for each category) i. SPORTS ii. EDUCATION iii. INVESTIGATIVE PHOTOJOURJALISM v. ARTS / ENTERTAINMENT vi. BUSINESS / ECONOMIC vii. ENVIRONMENT / SCIENCE viii. HEALTH AGRICULTURE / FOOD SECURITY x. DEMOCRACY & GOOD GOVERNANCE GENDER xii. CRIME / COURT DIVISION THREE (SPECIAL CAMPAIGN) (One award for each category) i. SABILITY ii. 0MEgr1c TOURISM iii. ROAD SAFETY iv. ILLEGAL MINING DIVISION FOUR (PROGRAMMES& LAYOUT) (One award for each category) i. BEST RADIO/TV PROGRAMME (GHANAIAN LANGUAGES) ii. BEST RADIO/TV PROGRAMME (ENGLISH LANGUAGE) iii. BEST NEWSPAPER LAYOUT (PRINT) DIVISION FIVE (PROMISING JOURNALIST) i. BEST STUDENT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR (Open to students of accredited journalism / communication training institutions whose works were published in 2022. Such entrants must upload a scanned copy of a valid student’s identity card to support their entry) ii. CJA/KOMLA DUMOR MOST PROMISING JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR (Open to journalists of the Association with not more than three years’ experience) iii. BEST FEMALE JOURNALIST (Open to female journalists of the Association with not more than ten years’ experience) DIVISION SIX (JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR) i. GJA/P.A.V. ANSAH JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith