Sefa Kayi Named Journalist of The Year

The host of the popular Akan morning show on Peace FM, Kokrokoo, Mr Kwame Sefa Kayi, has been adjudged the 2016 Best Journalist of the Year.

Additionally, Kokrokoo was adjudged the Best Morning Show.

For his prize as the best journalist, Mr Kayi, affectionately called Chairman-General, will receive a three-bedroom house sponsored by Koans Estate, the lead sponsor of the event, in Nsawam in the Eastern Region.

his is the first time a prize of that kind has been given to the best journalist.

Last year, the winner, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, received a brand-new Hyundai sports utility vehicle (SUV) as his prize.

Five journalists from different brands of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) also won awards at this year’s ceremony organised by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

The company also won the Best Political Reporting Print Media House Award.

They were Seth J. Bokpe – Agriculture, Print Features, and Special Award for the Fight Against Illegal Mining; Samuel Kyei-Boateng – Print News Reporting; Zadok Kwame Gyesi – Online Features; Hadiza Nuhhu-Billa Quansah – Crime & Court Reporting, and Dotse Koblah Aklorbortu – Oil & Gas.

At the awards ceremony. on the theme: “Safe mining and environmental protection: The role of the media”, the GJA applauded Mr Kayi for his deep sense in upholding journalistic standards and ethical codes on his show.

The 47-year-old award winner, who has more than two decades’ experience in media work, was also praised for his initiative of saving infants by mobilising public support and resources to provide incubators for hospitals and health facilities.

Other award winners were: Portia Gabor, TV3; John Vigah, Ghanaian Times; Benedict Dankwa Owusu, Joy FM; Dominic Hlordzi, GBC; Samuel Innocent Appiah, The Informer; David Andoh, Myjoyonline; Kwame Anum, TV Africa; Dominic Andoh, Business & Financial Times; Latif Iddrisu, Joy News; Peter Quao Adator, TV3; Umaru Sanda, Citi FM, and Kafui Kanyi, GNA.

The rest were Jamila Akweley Okerchiri, Daily Guide; Kojo Mensah Abrompa, TV Africa; Alice Aryeetey, GH One TV; Ridwan Karim Dini Osman, GH One TV; Kwami Sefa Kayi, New Day, TV3; Bernard Avle and team, Citi FM; Good Evening Ghana, Metro TV; Nana Yaa Konadu, Peace FM, and GBC’s Adult Education (Akan, Ga, Ewe, Dagbani, Hausa, Nzema).

Honorary awards

Additionally, some journalists, media practitioners, as well as some individuals and organisations, were honoured for their contributions towards the fight against illegal mining.

They are Kojo Agyeman, Citi FM; Edem Srem, freelance journalist; Latif Iddrisu, Joy News; Kwabena Adu-Gyamfi, TV3; Clara Mlano, GTV; Julius Yao Petetsi, Ghanaian Times; Stephen Kweku Ofosu, Oman FM; Joyce Gyekye, GBC; Godwin Arthur Mensah, GNA; Obrempong Yaw Ampofo, Citi FM (Takoradi); and Seth J. Bokpe, Daily Graphic.

Some media organisations, including the GCGL, Kesmi FM in Tamale, Star FM in Sunyani, Peace FM, UTV and GBC radio stations, were also honoured for their contributions toward the development of the Ghanaian media industry.

Guest speaker

Delivering his address, the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, commended the Ghanaian media for their resolve to fight illegal mining.

He said the fight against illegal mining would not have yielded fruits had it not been for the support and attention the media gave to it.

The Okyenhene, however, called on the authorities to properly look at the mining sector, particularly small-scale mining, since the lack of proper regulation would lead to illegal mining.

He said illegal mining was closely linked to the activities of small-scale mining, adding that there was not much difference between small-scale mining and illegal mining.

Osagyefuo Ofori Panin called on the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining and Operation Vanguard to intensify their activities to help end illegal mining in the country.

He said because of his strong opposition to illegal mining, some unscrupulous individuals had decided to tarnish his image by linking him to the practice.

But he said the comments and publications made in that regard would not deter him from speaking against illegal mining, adding that he had never engaged in any illegal mining activities.

GJA President

Delivering his remarks, the President of the GJA, Mr Affail Monney, said the awards, apart from inspiring excellence in journalism, also encouraged journalists to address critical national concerns such as child labour, corruption, health and education.

Touching on the theme, he said “through this theme, the GJA seeks to rally behind the media against illegal mining, which has become an environmental menace in the country”.

“The GJA believes such a united resolve will help save our land and water bodies from destruction,” he said.

He, therefore, charged the various winners to let the awards inspire them to join the crusade against illegal mining to halt the destruction of the land and give a new lease of life to the environment.

Mr Monney, however, entreated journalists and media practitioners to adhere to core principles and the ethical codes of the journalism profession.

He said the association was in the process of drafting new codes of ethics to match international standards and also hinted of a review of the association’s constitution.

Source: Graphic