30th GJA Media Awards: Chief of Staff calls for recognition of accuracy, innovation and public interest in journalism

Chief of Staff Dr. Julius Debrah has urged the committee overseeing the 30th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards to ensure fairness, independence and transparency in selecting award winners.

Speaking at the launch of the awards and inauguration of the Awards Committee in Accra on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Dr. Debrah said the awards must recognise journalism that serves the public interest through accuracy, courage, originality and innovation.

According to him, the awards should also inspire young journalists, including those working in smaller communities, by ensuring their work receives recognition.

“Let these awards recognise journalism that is accurate, courageous, original, innovative and useful to the public,” he said.

Dr. Debrah added, “Let every young reporter’whether working in Accra or in a small community-know that excellent work can be seen and celebrated.”

He commended the GJA leadership for sustaining a platform that rewards excellence and promotes professional standards in Ghana’s media industry.

According to him, the 30 editions of the awards reflect journalism’s contribution to Ghana’s democracy through exposing wrongdoing, highlighting neglected issues and giving citizens a voice.

“The media are rightly described as the Fourth Estate because a nation cannot govern well when power is exercised without scrutiny and citizens are denied reliable information,” he said.

Dr. Debrah further urged journalists to uphold verification, fairness and accountability, particularly as technology continues to accelerate the spread of information.

He said the media must be “free enough to question, fair enough to listen, courageous enough to expose wrongdoing and humble enough to correct itself.”

He also encouraged journalists to continue asking difficult questions, telling stories that might otherwise go unheard and holding public officials accountable.

“To the media fraternity, continue to ask the difficult questions. Continue to tell the stories that might otherwise go unheard. Continue to hold all of us in public office to account,” he said.

The 30th GJA Media Awards were launched at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City in Accra, where Dr. Debrah, the Special Guest of Honour, formally declared the awards launched and the Awards Committee inaugurated.