Entries for the competition, which is opened to its members working in the Ghanaian media, should cover works published from January 1 and December 31, 2015.
The deadline for the submission of entries is Monday, May 16, 2016.
Award winners would be honoured at the Banquet Hall of the State House on Saturday, August 20.
The GJA President Mr Affail Monney said the theme for the event was carefully chosen because of the expectation that the 2016 general election would be hotly contested.
“This, we believe, is as a result of the dispute of the 2012 elections, the election petition and the Supreme Court ruling on that matter,” he said.
“The theme has been chosen in acknowledgement of the need for strong collaboration between the media and civil society, to promote a rational and credible coverage of the election.
“This is imperative in the face of the impact of social media and citizen journalism on the information and communication landscape in a digital world,” he added.
He said circumspection and respect for ethics and standards by both professionals and non-professionals, engaged in information dissemination is therefore, required to spare Ghana of both misinformation and disinformation during coverage of the election.
“We in the media do recognise that we cannot achieve that laudable goal without the support of civil society.
“We hope the theme will constantly remind all and sundry about the need to promote decent coverage of the election to help bring about credible and peaceful results,” Mr Monney stated.
He said the GJA Constitution charges the Association to promote high journalistic standards and to reward members who excel in their work periodically; stating that “It was for this reason that the annual GJA Awards was instituted”.
“The competition has not only been growing in size and stature. We are convinced that it has been helping to motivate journalists in Ghana and indeed the Ghanaian media to aspire to high standards and professionalism,” he said.
Sir Benedict Assorow, Communications Director of the Catholic Bishops of Africa, Secretariat, who chaired the function, urged journalists in the country to do follow ups on their publications; adding: “Be objective, truthful, honest and fair in your reportage.”
Mr Ekow Blankson, Group Head, Corporate Communications and Strategy, Ideal Financial Holdings, said the company is very delighted to be the lead sponsors for the second time running of the GJA Awards.
Mr Dave Agbenu, GJA General Secretary, who gave an overview of the awards competition, said there would be five categories; and entrants may submit entries for a maximum of only two categories, and not more than two published works should be submitted for any category.
He said category one includes separate awards for radio, television and print for news reporting, sports, education and features.
He said category two would be for both print and electronic, and would cover areas such as investigative reporting, photojournalism, crime and court reporting, anti-corruption, the Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu award for business and finance and economic reporting, oil and gas, and rural reporting.
The third category, which goes to the print media is for columnist and best cartoonist whereas the fourth category for media houses only covers democracy and peace building, best layout and designed newspaper and best rural radio station/best TV programmes in Akan, 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.
He explained that under category five, Most Promising Young Journalist and Journalist of the Year, GJA members and the public are invited to nominate candidates giving reasons for their nominations in not more than 120 words.
Source; GNA
By Iddi Yire, GNA
