GJA western Region honours deserving members – Leaders Demand Impact Journalism

Political leaders, traditional authorities and corporate stakeholders in Ghana's Western Region have urged journalists and businesses to actively contribute to the region's transformation. They emphasized that the region's abundant natural resources should lead to tangible improvements in the lives of its people. The call for this change was made at the inaugural Western Regional Media and Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Awards hosted by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Takoradi on Saturday.

The event highlighted excellence in journalism and the role of corporate investment in regional development.

The event was sponsored by Gold Mine Ltd, with additional support from Gold Fields Foundation, Global Ore, Ghana National Gas Company Ltd, KEDA Ghana, Ghana Petroleum and Gas Holdings Ltd, ECG Ltd, LOCOMS Company Ltd, and others. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, addressed the audience and highlighted the media's crucial role in ensuring the sustainable development of Ghana's natural resources through transparent and responsible governance.

Buah challenged journalists to go beyond reporting official statements from various institutions and to conduct deeper investigative and specialized reporting. He urged them to inform, educate, investigate, and hold institutions and individuals accountable. The minister emphasized the need for journalists to specialize in various fields such as mining, geology, environmental science, economics, law, finance, and public policy.

He called for increased investment in these specialized areas of journalism, urging reporters to scrutinize mining contracts, environmental assessments, production figures, royalties, and licensing arrangements.

Mr Buah particularly stressed the importance of journalists exposing the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining and the networks that facilitate such activities. He pointed out that illegal mining is not merely an environmental issue but also an economic, social, governance, and national-security concern. The former Member of Parliament for Tarkwa-Nsuaem, George Mireku Duker, addressed the audience and challenged companies to shift their focus from charity to investment in corporate social responsibility.

Duker urged businesses to collaborate with communities to identify priorities in education, healthcare, skills development, and livelihoods, emphasizing the importance of creating lasting value rather than merely executing projects or spending money.