Beginning next year, the Foreign Affairs Ministry in collaboration with the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) will reward journalists for their work on foreign policy issues.
The award category is to be part of the annual GJA Awards ceremony from 2020 which is expected to engender keen interest in comprehensive foreign policy reportage.
This was disclosed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey when the leadership of the GJA called on her on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, in Accra.
Madam Ayorkor Botchwey noted her outfit’s willingness for continuous support to the work of the Ghanaian media abroad, including documentary makers and media outlets such as Premier Productions – producers of Greetings from Abroad, and Hal Solutions – producers of Diplomatic Affairs.
She also expressed the need for continuous cooperation between the Ministry and the Ghanaian media to better educate and inform the citizenry about the work of the Ministry and its benefits to the Ghanaian people.
The Minister congratulated the GJA on its 70th Anniversary and its great gate-keeping role over the years indicating that the theme for the 70 years celebration of the GJA: “Freedom, Democracy and Independence of the Media in Ghana,” is appropriate since the media has been an important institution in Ghana’s democratic development.
Hon. Ayorkor Botchwey lauded the Association for its commitment towards its members and for working to promote and sustain journalistic standards, particularly on matters of Ghana’s foreign policy.
In her view, foreign policy is a delicate and sensitive area that has to be handled with tact in order to avoid misrepresentation which can damage relations with external partners and friends – the reason specialization in the area for journalists.
Madam Ayorkor Botchwey therefore indicated that the Ministry’s doors are opened to discussions and proposals on matters within its jurisdiction and how relations with the media can be improved for the benefit of Ghana and the execution of its foreign policy.
On his part, the president of the GJA, Roland Affail Monney pledged the continuous support of the Association to the projection of the work of the Foreign Ministry.
He seized the opportunity to request assistance to host international leaders from various media Associations in Ghana for the 24th GJA Awards and the climax of the 70th Anniversary of the Association.
Story By: Henry George Martinson/radiogoldlive.com
