Freelancer wins 2011 Journalist of the year award
Accra, Aug 26, GNA – Manasseh Azure Awuni, a freelance journalist was on Saturday adjudged 2011 Journalist of the Year at the 17th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards in Accra.
The award was in recognition of his hard work and creativity in bringing out relevant issues through his work as a journalist.
The GJA Awards Committee, headed by Mr Edward Ameyibor, former GJA President and former Supervising Chief Editor of the Ghana News Agency, described Mr Awuni as a promising young journalist, who embodied the characteristics of creativity and professionalism that was required in the future of journalism in Ghana.
Mr. Azure also won the awards for Best News Reporting for Radio, Television as well as a joint award for Print with a reporter for the Daily Graphic, best report on sanitation.
Accepting his award, Mr Awuni, who calls himself 'the boy from Bongo' attributed his success to God, saying it was His grace and favour that had brought him that far.
He also called on parents, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds not to neglect their children's education since what would help to lift them from poverty.
“Poverty must not be an excuse to neglect your children's education” he stated, thanking his father, who in spite of being a 'night watchman' educated him which had enabled to excel in journalism today.
Awuni won the 2010 award for most promising journalist and has justified that award by winning five awards including the journalist of the year award.
Below are the full list of award winners and their categories:
Journalist of the Year
Manasseh Azure Awuni
Best Report in TV
Manasseh Azure Awuni
Best News Reporting Radio
Manasseh Azure Awuni (Freelancer) & Doreen Hammond
Best Report in Social Security
Michael Oti (Metro TV)
Best Feature for Radio
Neslon Nyado (Diamond FM)
Best Report on Water
Edmund Smith Asante – Ghana Business News
Best Report on Human Rights with Focus on Children
Albert Oppong Ansah (Ghana News Agency)
Best Report on Arts, Entertainment and Domestic Tourism
Akua Oforiwaa Darko
Best Report on Health
Richard Bright Addo (Net2)
Best Report on SMEs
Shirley Asiedu Addo (Daily Graphic)
Best Report on Agric
Features Desk - TV Africa
Best Newspaper Layout and Design
The Finder
Best Report on Sanitation
Manasseh Awuni Azure
Best Report on Anti-Corruption
Emmanuel K. Dogbevi (Ghana Business News)
Best Report on Development Journalism for furthering the MDGs
Suuk Nelson (Diamond FM)
Best Report on Oil and Gas Sector
Albert Futukpor (Ghana News Agency)
Best Report on HIV/AIDS
Kweku Owusu Peprah (Joy FM)
Kwadwo Baah Wiredu Best Report in Business & Finance & Economic Reporting
Emilia Enin Abbey (Business Guide)
Best Report on the Environment
Emilia Enin Abbey (Business Guide)
Best in Investigative Reporting
Moses Dotse Aklorbortu (Daily Graphic)
Best Report in Education (Print)
Sepenyo Dzokoto (Ghana News Agency)
Best News Report for Print
Dzifa Emma Tetteh (Ghanaian Times)
News Report on TV
Manasseh Awuni Azure
Best Feature on Radio
Diamond FM
Best Feature on TV
Sarah Ofori (Ghana Television)
Best Report on Telecommunication
Samuel Nii Narku Dowuona (Adom FM)
Best Media House for Democracy and Peace Building
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
Best Radio/TV programme (Akan)
Radio Peace 88.9 Winneba
Best Radio/TV Programme (Ga)
Negbe Nyeshe (Obonu FM)
Best Rural Reporting
Isaac Kaledzi (Citi FM)
Best Report on the disabled:
Jamila Akweley Okertchiri(Daily Guide)
Best Report on Sports:
Rosemary Gaisie (Ghana Broadcasting Corporation)
Best in Parliamentary Reporting:
Emmanuel Adu Gyamera (Daily Graphic)
Best in Photo Journalism:
Geoffrey Buttah (Ghanaian Times)
Best in Political Reporting:
Kofi Enchill (The Heritage)
Best Report on Science:
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
Honorary Award
Fiifi Nettey
GNA