Erastus Asare Donkor wins 2022 GJA Journalist of the Year Award
“I stand before you today deeply honoured and proudly humbled to receive this national award for investigative journalism
Multimedia Group’s journalist, Erastus Asare Donkor has been awarded the P. V. ANSAH/GJA Journalist of the Year at the 27th GJA Awards organized by the Ghana Journalists Association.
Mr. Asare Donkor grabbed the award for his investigative report “Destruction for Gold” on the devastations caused by illegal mining [galamsey] in the country.
The awards event held at the grande arena of the Accra International Conference Center was the presence of high profiled citizens ranging from Ministers, the Electoral Commission, members of the National Media Commission (NMC), the National Peace Council (NPC), the banking sector and the entire media fraternity.
Mr Asare Donkor also went home with the pretigious award for reporting on Illegal Mining. The PAV Ansah Communicator Award recognises a communication professional who is an opinion leader with the most positive outreach, and an inspirator with the most influence.
Receiving his award, Mr Asare Donkor who was beside himself with joy and pride, said
“I stand before you today deeply honoured and proudly humbled to receive this national award for investigative journalism. It is a recognition not just of my work but a testament to the power of responsible journalism in our society. For too long we have witnessed the devastating effects of irresponsible mining in Ghana, a nation rich in natural resources and even richer in potential.”
Gracing the event was the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Madam Jean Adukwei Mensah, Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, U.S Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia E. Palmer. Managing Director of GCB Bank PLC, Kofi Adomako, Executive Director of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, Chairman of the National Media Commission, Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, President Of PRINPAG, Andrew Edwin Arthur, Acting Executive Secretary/PRO of PRINPAG, Jeorge Wilson Kingson and many more.
Delivering the keynote address at the event, Madam Jean Adukwei Mensah, commended the GJA for their pivotal watchdog role they played since the inception of the 4th Republic.
“As guardians of our democracy, the media carries the profound responsibility of protecting our institutions and preserving the peace, security and stability of our beloved nation” she noted.
“The role of the media in safeguarding our democracy in the upcoming elections cannot be overstated. Just like the Electoral Commission and other key institutions, the media bears tremendous responsibility to ensure that the will of the people, as expressed at the polls is upheld,” she added.
By Gertrude Amuzu || ghananewsonline.com.gh
