At the 20th edition of Ghana Journalists Association Awards, the International Cocoa Initiative has presented the award for best rural reporting with focus on elimination of child labour in Ghana. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards is the most prestigious journalism award ceremony in the country.
Mr. Kafui Kaney, a journalist with Ghana News Agency (GNA) won the best rural reporting with focus on elimination of child labour in Ghana. His story – Kids abandon school – was ranked top of the entries received in the category.
The awards are in five categories; category one includes separate awards for radio, television and print for news reporting and features. Category two is for both print and electronic on investigative reporting, photo journalism, sports for print and electronic etc. The third category which goes to the print media is for columnist and best cartoonist while the fourth category for media houses only covers democracy and peace building, best layout and designed newspaper and best rural radio station, best TV programme in Akan, best radio and TV programme in Dagbani , Ewe, Ga, Hausa and Nzema. The fifth category is the GJA/ Komla Dumor Most Promising Young Journalist and the GJA/Prof. P.V. Ansah Journalist of the Year.
President of GJA, Dr. Affail Monney expressed appreciation to ICI for the support and encouraged journalists to report objectively and regularly on the issue of child labour in the cocoa sector.
"Journalists boast of having libraries with sections detailing all child labour stories that they produce and have covered over a period" according to Dr. Monney. "It must be a call to consistently collaborate to develop new stories, especially about activities of Non-Governmental Organisations, government agencies, progress made and others who deal with child labour issues" he added.
"This effort is first of its kind for ICI and is borne out of our desire to proactively engage with the media as partners in our work” Avril Kudzi, ICI Ghana’s National Coordinator said.
She said "By and large, as trained communicators, the media’s role as opinion leader and critical observer remains crucial for the success of the fight again child labour. It is time for the media to lead in raising awareness and mobilising support for actions that help children live better lives and enjoy better futures".
Objective and honest stories from the field and the monitoring of our progress will not only help us to inform communities about how they can protect their children, Avril said. She stressed how the media will also help ICI and the sector to reflect upon its work and effectively engage specific groups on the dangers of child labour. "As foremost advocates on social issues, ICI is pleased to invite you to come visit our communities" Avril said.
You can find the full list of winners here.