Bolgatanga: Mr Gilbert Azeem Tiroog, a stringer with the Bolgatanga Office of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), is the 2024 Upper East Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Most Promising Journalist. At the fourth Regional GJA Awards Night held in Bolgatanga, the rising young journalist was also awarded the Best Water and Sanitation Reporter of the Year under review for his feature titled ‘SDG Six: Toilet facilities under $1 million per constituency left to rot.’
According to Ghana News Agency, the story exposed how the government, through the Nabdam District Assembly, spent the $1 million per constituency to construct public toilet facilities at marketplaces and vantage points to address open defecation in the Nabdam District, which were never completed and commissioned for public use. In a citation to honour him, it said throughout the year, Mr Tiroog’s reporting had demonstrated maturity, depth, and strong commitment to journalism that serves the public good.
‘With stories rooted in social impact such as your WASH expos©, you have consistently produced impactful stories that demand action and deliver value. Your potential, passion, and professionalism position you as one of the region’s rising stars in the media landscape. For these reasons, the Upper East GJA recognises you, Mr Gilbert Azeem Tiroog, as the Most Promising Journalist of the Year and encourages you to do more,’ it said.
Mr Castro Senyalah of TV3 was adjudged the 2024 Upper East GJA Journalist of the Year after winning two other categories, namely Conflict and Security, and Good Governance and Accountability. Ms Humul-Khrusum Tahiru of A1 Radio was also named Female Journalist of the Year and Gender Reporter of the Year.
The other winners were Mr David Azure of A1 Radio, Agriculture; Mr Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh, Mr Moses Apiah of A1 Radio, Health and Climate Change, and Ms Gladys Apuweni of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation URA Radio, Tourism. The rest are Mr Peter Agengre of GBC, Education, Mr Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith of A1 Radio, Finance and Economics, Nelson Jose Abagna of GBC URA Radio, Sports, Nicholas Azebire of Dreamz FM, Human Rights, Mr Halidu Dasmani of Adom TV, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Mr Joshua Asaah of A1 Radio, Investigative.
Ms Caroline Abisiku with the Department of Communication and Media Studies at the Bolgatanga Technical University was also awarded the Student Journalist of the Year. This year’s awards was on the theme: ‘Upholding Public Trust: The Role of the Media in Promoting Accountable Governance in the Upper East Region.’
Mr Albert Sore, the Upper East Regional Chair of the Association, called on state and non-state actors to support the work of journalists to better serve society through the highest professionalism and ethical standards. The event had support from WaterAid Ghana under the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) project, Paga Youth Movement, Cardinal Namdini Mining Company Ltd, Kacstone Records, Ghana Shippers’ Authority, and Rural Initiatives for Self-Empowerment (RISE) Ghana.
The others were MTN Ghana, Endswell Pharmacy, Development Research and Advocacy Center (DRAC), Earl International Group Gold Ghana Ltd, Physioshop Production Center (PPC) Paga, Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM), and Ghana Hotels Association – Upper East Region Branch. The rest were Adonai Sports Management, UK; Ghana Tourism Authority; Atiamah Catering Services; Blue Sky Hotel; Bolga Technical University; ICOUR; and Mozak Multimedia Services.