Media General’s broadcast journalists Godwin Asediba and Sarah Apenkroh were among the big winners at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) 29th Media Awards, held on November 8, 2025, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasionuaonline.comonuaonline.com. Asediba took the Best TV Documentary prize and Apenkroh won Best TV Feature. The ceremony was attended by President John Dramani Mahama (Guest of Honour) alongside Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu IIonuaonline.com. This year’s awards – the first ever held in the Ashanti Region – were themed “Safeguarding Ghana’s Future: The Role of the Media in Promoting Peace, Security and the Fight Against Galamsey”, highlighting the media’s role in national security and environmental protectiononuaonline.com.
GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour used the occasion to sound the alarm about illegal mining. He declared that “galamsey is no longer just an environmental problem – it has become a threat to national security,” and urged decisive actionmyjoyonline.com. Dwumfour praised recent government efforts against galamsey but demanded a bolder, symbolic step to renew the country’s resolve. Specifically, he proposed a “Manhyia Declaration” – a formal policy statement by President Mahama at the event – to “reaffirm Ghana’s commitment” and send the message that the war against illegal mining will be wonmyjoyonline.com. In Dwumfour’s view, such an irreversible declaration “would carry both moral and political weight” in the presence of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, reinforcing the government’s anti-galamsey commitment.
The GJA President also decried recent violent attacks by illegal miners. He described assaults on EPA enforcement teams as “a direct assault on hardworking officers … and a great affront to the authority of the state and the rule of law.”myjoyonline.com Calling such acts “cowardly and treasonous,” he demanded that the police provide a full briefing on investigations and prosecute all perpetrators. He warned that “anything short of swift and firm justice will embolden lawlessness and erode public confidence” in Ghana’s ability to protect those serving the national interestmyjoyonline.com. In this context, Dwumfour commended President Mahama for engaging civil society on anti-galamsey efforts but insisted that more decisive action was still needed to convince citizens and investors of the government’s seriousness.
The awards weekend was also marked by concerns for journalists’ safety. Days before the event, a joint EPA-media team covering an anti-galamsey operation in Ashanti had been ambushed, forcing a retreat and resulting in a road accident that injured several reportersgraphic.com.gh. In the aftermath, the Ashanti branch of the GJA issued a statement: “We stand in full solidarity with our affected colleagues in this difficult moment”, the group said, offering support to the injured journalists and their familiesmyjoyonline.com. The association emphasized that “the safety, welfare and protection of journalists remain paramount” and noted that exposing galamsey is a dangerous but vital public servicemyjoyonline.com. It is working with authorities to ensure the injured reporters receive prompt medical and emotional supportmyjoyonline.com, and has called on all media-engaging institutions to enforce strict safety protocols during high-risk fieldworkmyjoyonline.com.
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