Mining, Environment category dominates entries for Ghana Journalists Association awards

Journalists across Ghana's Western and Western North Regions have submitted 89 entries for the 2026 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards, reflecting a strong engagement with critical development issues. The Mining and Environmental Sustainability category emerged as the most competitive, drawing 24 submissions. This highlights the significant public and media interest in the impacts of mining activities and the ongoing efforts towards environmental protection in the regions.

Following closely behind, the Infrastructure and Development category garnered 14 entries, underscoring the importance of reporting on the region's growth and development projects. Other categories also saw substantial participation, with Fisheries and Gender and Social Inclusion each receiving eight entries. The Health and Business and Labour Affairs categories attracted seven submissions apiece, while Crime and Legal Affairs recorded six entries. Cocoa and Agriculture Affairs had four submissions, and the Oil and Gas sector had one entry.

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The entries underlined the growing prominence of digital journalism in the region, while also demonstrating continued participation from traditional broadcast and print media.

Across different media formats, online journalism submissions led the pack with 47 entries, demonstrating the growing prominence of digital platforms in the region. Television followed with 27 submissions, while print media received 10, and radio recorded five. Mr. Desmond Cudjoe, the Western Region GJA Chairman, noted this trend, observing the increasing significance of digital journalism alongside continued participation from traditional broadcast and print media.

The GJA Media Awards aim to celebrate journalists and media houses whose work significantly contributes to informing, educating, and empowering communities. The awards also promote transparency, accountability, and sustainable development. The 2026 awards will consider published works from 2024 to 2026, with entries evaluated based on their relevance and contribution to public discourse and development. Additionally, the Corporate Social Impact (CSI) Awards will recognize corporate institutions for their beneficial social investments in the Western Region.

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The GJA Media Awards sought to celebrate journalists and media houses whose work contributed significantly to informing, educating and empowering communities, while promoting transparency, accountability and sustainable development.