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MPEC in partnership with MRGA hold awards in Accra
The Media Platform on Environment and Climate Change (MPEC) and the Minority Rights Group Africa (MRGA) on Tuesday held the second edition of the Inclusive & Anti Conflict Journalism Awards in Accra.
The ceremony held on the theme “Deepening quality and ethical journalism to address conflict and minority exclusion” was organised under the engaging media and minorities to act for peace-building which is a multi-country project by the European Union (EU).
This year’s awards scheme received about 41 applications as compared to 30 applications from last year. Out of these applications six finalists were honoured.
At the end of the occasion Fugu Mohammed, the Northern Regional Correspondent of the Daily Graphic emerged as the overall best reporter.
Other awardees under the print and online/wire and TV categories included Anthony Adongo Apubeo of GNA, Timothy Ngnenbe (Daily Graphic), Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe (Multi Media), Mona Lisa Frimpong (Multi Media) and Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnews.
In her welcome address, the Executive Director of MPEC, Mary Ama Kudom-Agyemang charged journalists to keep playing their role through public education on climate change, conflict and minority issues.
“We, as media, should play our part and highlight these issues very well and educate the public to make responsible decisions on these,” she said.
She said the award was to motivate and incentivised journalists to pay closer attention to issues of conflicts, migration, climate change and minority exclusion hence expressing gratitude to all journalists who heeded their call to participate in the awards and commended the awardees for their exceptional reportage.
Mr Affail Monney, a former president of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) who chaired the occasion, also urged the winners to be more persistent in their advocacy of minorities.
He charged journalists to practise journalism in an innovative way that de-escalates dialogue and peaceful outcomes, but not in a way that escalates conflict through bias and sensationalism.
Mr Monney admonished traditional media to ensure that news and information consumption becomes part of the solution.
“Journalists must be more inclusive in their reportage and pay closer attention to issues that adversely affect our development and well-being” Mr Monney stated.
The Secretary of the Ghana Journalists Association, Mr Kofi Yeboah for his part commended MPEC and its partners for organizing such an award to honour journalists of their good works and entreated journalists to continue to work hard to build and sustain public confidence in the media.
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
