The Western and Western North Regional branches of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), has launched the 2026 Media and Corporate Impact Awards to recognise outstanding journalism and honour corporate institutions whose investments and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives are contributing to sustainable development
The awards, launched on the theme “Reporting Progress. Investing in People,” aim to celebrate journalists whose work has promoted accountability, influenced public policy, amplified community voices and documented the development of the Western and Western North Regions.
The initiative will also recognise companies whose investments and CSR programmes have positively impacted lives and communities.
Speaking at the launch, Western Regional GJA Chairman, Desmond Cudjoe, characterised journalism as a vital bridge between development and the people, stressing that meaningful progress depends on an informed citizenry capable of holding leaders accountable.
He noted that journalists continue to report on critical issues such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, environmental protection, governance, business and social development, often under difficult and risky 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. Yet many continue to work under insecure conditions, with inadequate resources and remuneration that falls far below the value they create for society,” he said.
Mr. Cudjoe called for greater investment in journalists through improved welfare, safety, training and continuous professional development, saying stronger support for the media would reinforce democracy, transparency and national development.
Chairman of the ceremony, Nana Nteboa Pra IV, Divisional Chief of Himan-Prestea, urged stakeholders to pay greater attention to the challenges facing journalists, including attacks on media practitioners, intimidation and poor working conditions, which he said continue to threaten press freedom.
He also encouraged media owners to invest in the welfare and professional development of journalists to strengthen professionalism within the industry.
Touching on the growing influence of digital media, he urged online journalists and content creators to prioritise accuracy, fairness and responsible reporting over sensationalism, while encouraging media practitioners to continue highlighting both the opportunities and development challenges in the two regions.
The launch brought together representatives of government institutions, traditional authorities, corporate organisations, civil society organisations and development partners, who
commended journalists for their dedication to serving the public despite numerous challenges.
The Association also unveiled competitive award categories covering infrastructure, fisheries, cocoa and agriculture, oil, gas and energy, environment, education, health, sports, crime and legal affairs, gender and social inclusion, and business and labour affairs.
The awards are open to original journalistic works produced by journalists in the Western and Western North Regions between June 2025 and July 2026.
In addition to recognising excellence in journalism, the initiative introduces the Corporate Impact Awards to honour organisations demonstrating excellence in environmental sustainability, community development, employment creation, local governance support and impactful corporate social responsibility programmes.
Western Regional GJA Vice Chairman, Kwame Mensa, who announced the award categories, encouraged journalists and corporate institutions to participate in what he described as a platform to celebrate excellence while strengthening partnerships for regional development.
The Association said the awards are expected to raise professional standards in journalism, promote responsible corporate citizenship and deepen collaboration between the media and the corporate sector in advancing socio-economic development.
GJA also expressed appreciation to sponsors, partners, traditional authorities, state institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative.
Special recognition was given to Damang Gold Mine, the headline sponsor of the 2026 Media and Corporate Impact Awards, for its support for media excellence and community development initiatives.
Source By BigTimezGH
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