Castro wins ‘Best Gender and Disability Reporter’ at maiden Upper East GJA Awards

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One of Upper East Region’s hardworking Journalists, Senyalah Castro, popularly known as Cazo, has been adjudged Best Gender and Disability Reporter at the region’s maiden Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards held in Bolgatanga.

The Journalist, who actively reports on issues of gender and disability in the region, came top after beating other entrants in the category. He was announced winner at the heavily successful awards night held at the Ganass Hotel on Saturday.

Mr. Senyalah’s win come as no surprise as the correspondent for Atinka TV/Ghanaweb is known for great stories including his reports on two visually impaired persons in Kasena-Nankana area- a Trained Teacher and a Rice Farmer.

Mr. Eric Kwadjo Amoh, the Upper East Chairman of the GJA, called on journalists to be circumspect in their reportage and ensure news stories have the potential of contributing to resolving the long standing Bolgatanga chieftaincy and bringing peace to other conflict prone areas in the region to promote development.

President of the GJA, Mr. Affail Monney, called for concerted efforts from all journalists and aimed at reportage that will spur development in the region.

He noted that the theme for the celebration was “an act of perfect timing as the country was going to the polls next year,” and it was imperative for media practitioners to shape up and respond to the expectations of members of the public and the international communities.

Mr. Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, who was one of the guest speakers, called on Ghanaian journalists to act as agents of social change to unearth the ills of society, promote peace, champion and sustainable national development.

He said: “The media must be used to educate, entertain and correct the ills in society. Morning shows and newspaper headlines should be preceded by messages of motivation, peace, national cohesion among others. Chieftaincy and land matters should be discussed devoid of ethnic bigotry and sensationalism.”

Mr. Kpemka explained that media under any jurisdiction was a constitutional body that wielded the power capable of destroying and igniting mayhem or accelerating nation building.

“I know in discharging your duties you will definitely encounter challenges and frustrations but that is no excuse to be sensational. Do not use your power to settle scores, do not use journalism and the media to worship yourselves,” he stressed.

He therefore urged journalists to be professional, responsible and commit their resources and time to give factual reports that would shape the development of the country positively and ensure peaceful coexistence.

He said: “I urged all of you to be master of social change, advocates of development and agents of Upper East rising in the horizon. Help to build Upper East, help to build Ghana, help to sustain peace, help to maintain unity and help to keep our region and nation at large together. Do not make the innocent guilty and do not make the guilty innocent for as the legal dictum goes for it is better for 99 persons to be spared than for one innocent soul to be convicted.”

Awards

In all nine journalists were awarded. Mrs. Fatima Anafu-Astanga (GNA) had the best Environment and Sanitation reporter and best Business and Financial Reporter, Godfred Polkuu (GNA), got the Most promising journalist, and Anthony Adongo Apubeo (GNA), bagged the Best Child Rights reporter award.

The rest are Joshua Asaah (A1 Radio), Best Agriculture Reporter, Stephen Ngamegbulam Chidozie (A1 Radio), Best Human Rights Reporter, Albert Sore (Joynews), Best Investigative Reporter, Isaac Asare (GBC), Best Health Reporter and Best Domestic Tourism Reporter, Senyalah Castro (Ghanaweb/Atinka Media Village), Best Gender and Disability Reporter and Nelson Abagna (GBC), Best Sports Reporter.

Source: Daily Mail GH

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