GJA award winners out (14/8/09mp)

THE 2008 Awards Committee of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), yesterday released 29 award winners for the 14th GJA awards ceremony, slated for Saturday, August 15, 2009 in Accra.
The award winners, who include journalists and media houses, include Kofi Akordor, Loretta Vanderpuye, Kofi Yeboah, Peggy Ama Donkor, Godwin Ofosu Acheampong, Theophilus Yartey, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Dominic Hlordze.
The others are Maurice Quansah, Rosalind Amoo, Kingsley Hope, Kingsley Obeng Kyere, Joojo Cobina, Victor Kwawukume, Samuel Smith Asante, Charles Benoni Okine and Samuel Kyei-Boateng.
The media houses expected to receive awards are Public Agenda, GBC Television, Diamond Radio, Boon FM, Daily Guide, Joy FM, Radio Peace and Radio Progress.
Honorary awards would also be given to four important people who have contributed to the success of journalism in Ghana.
They are Mr Cameron Duodo, Mr Frazer Ofori Attah, Mr Kwater Simpson and Mr Gilbert Aryettey.
The committee, however, made some recommendations for the GJA in the organisation of other awards to be held by the association.
They include an improvement in the guidelines for the committee in future, putting in place a standing committee to review the performance of the media from time to time and ensuring that future committee members work closely with the past committees.
The Chairman of the Awards Committee, Dr Godwin Tutum Anim, a veteran journalist and the first Ghanaian General Manager of the Ghana News Agency, gave the assurance that unlike the 2007 awards, the Journalist of the Year 2008 would be announced at the ceremony.
He said a substantial report would be compiled by Dr Absalom Mutere, Dean of Journalism Studies and Communication of the African University College of Communication, and be made available to journalism training institutions and media houses to further enhance the practice of journalism.