By Robert Tachie Menson/Regina Siaw, GNA
Dormaa-Ahenkro (B/A), Dec. 14, GNA - Oboaman Bofotia Boamponsem, Krontihene of Sunyani Traditional Area, has appealed to government to provide adequate security for media practitioners to enable them to discharge their duties effectively towards national development.
He said it was the media’s duty and responsibility to set the national agenda as the watch dog and conscience of society and this exposes them to a lot of risk as they reveal the wrongs and corruption to steer the nation towards the right course.
"This was possible only if the media is going to hold erring and influential persons in society, including politicians, pastors, and traditional rulers accountable for their actions. They need to do it," he added.
Oboaman Bofotia Boamponsem was speaking at the launch of the 2018 Brong Ahafo Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) Awards, which saw the swearing in of a five member award committee, charged with the responsibility of vetting entries to be presented by members of the GJA in the region.
He called on media houses and owners to ensure adequate remuneration of journalists to avoid situations where they could be forced to accept any form of inducement to perform their jobs.
Members of the committee include Dr Leonard Amengo, a former Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Chairman of the committee, Mr Asumin Gyamfi, a veteran journalist and current news editor at Suncity FM, Sunyani, Lawyer Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, Gloria Fofie Amponsah, Head of Communication Studies, Sunyani Technical University.
Touching on the requirement for the award, Dr Leonard Amengo, the Chairman of the committee, said the award would be grouped into different categories including, the Most Promising Journalist of the Year 2018 and the Best Journalist of the Year 2018.
The other categories are health, education, child protection, sanitation and environment, business and economics, agriculture, tourism and culture, disability, sports, local governance, best morning show (twi and english) and mining.
He said the award entry is open to all members of the Association in the region in good standing and would be expected to provide three published works between January 2018 and December 2018.
Mr Michael Gyamfi, an official of the Brong Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council, on behalf of Mr Evans Opoku Bobie, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister extolled the efforts of the media in promoting development in the region.
He observed a multi-sectoral approach and concerted effort is urgently needed to solve the numerous challenges confronting the region, stressing that, "we are not oblivious of the role of the media as a force for change".
Mr Gyamfi pledged the support of the RCC to the regional branch of the Association to ensure the development of the region.
Mr Larry Paa Kwasi Moses, the Brong Ahafo Regional President of the GJA, said the Association is determined to promote high ethical standards in journalism practice in the region.
He said they are determined to weed out all members or practitioners whose activities did not contribute in upholding ethical standards in practice.
GNA
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