By Joyce Kantam Kolamong
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam has announced a Gh¢500,000 scholarship fund to support journalists in the Northern Region. The Anta-GJA Scholarship aims to enhance journalists’ skills and knowledge, promoting excellence in journalism.
At the 3rd Northern Region Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, in Tamale held last night, Dr. Adam announced the fund, emphasizing its potential to sponsor five journalists annually for five years.
At the Awards, ten journalists from the Northern, North East, and Savannah regions received awards for outstanding reporting.
Christopher Amoako, from Media General, was adjudged Journalist of the Year after winning the best Education and SDG categories.
Others received awards in categories such as health, Disability, agriculture, road safety, peace and conflict reporting, climate and environment, tourism, WASH, and energy reporting, among others. Minister of Finance, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam touted the work of journalists in the country and admonished them to exhibit professionalism and excellence.
He encouraged journalists to continue to support him and the government in its development agenda. The Minister, in his quest to strengthen the relationship between him and the media in the region, announced a 500,000 Ghana cedis scholarship fund to cushion journalists in the region. He emphasized that the fund, if well managed, will sponsor five journalists every year for the next five years.
Dr. Adam urged journalists to continue to hold the government and public holders accountable through the work they do. This, he believes, will go a long way to inform the decisions of Ghanaians in the upcoming general elections.
The Northern regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Yakubu Abdul Majeed, admonished journalists to uphold the sacred principles of journalism. He emphasised the need for responsible reporting and fact-based storytelling to ensure peace and stability in the country, particularly before, during, and after the 2024 elections.