Ministry launches Environmental Reporting Competition

Accra, Dec. 20, GNA - The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment on Wednesday announced the third in the series of the Environmental Reporting Competition as part of activities to commemorate Africa Environment Day, which falls on March 3, 2007. A statement signed by Mr D.A. Nyankamawu, Chief Director, said the National Environment Reporting Awards Committee was calling for the submission of entries from journalists, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals for the competition.

Categories for the contest include the Best Environmental Reporter for the Print Media, Best for Radio and Best for Television. Each of the categories would have the first and second runners-up.

The statement said an overall Environmental Journalist for the year 2006 would be selected from among the three best winners from the print, radio and television as the ultimate winner.

All journalists of the print media interested in the contest are to submit two feature articles each. Those for radio and television are to submit audio/visual cassette recordings and two printed transcripts of the same recordings.

Contestants in the print category are also to submit two copies each of the two articles, which must contain their by-lines. The features, programmes or reports must have been published or broadcast between July 5, 2005 and July 1, 2006.

The statement said the Best Environmental NGO and Outstanding Environmental Personality of the Year would also be awarded. The closing date for entries is January 15, 2007.

"The criteria for assessment for the Reporting contest will include style; content; relevance; source and clarity of information; theme; creativity and impact," it said.

The statement said winners in all categories would be given handsome cash prizes in addition to other prize items. The statement said all newspapers; magazines; radio and television stations which carried the publication or broadcast the winning articles would be presented with certificates.

It said the Environmental Personality Contest and the Best NGO entries would be accepted only from heads of recognized institutions on what had been done to contribute significantly to the promotion of the environment in Ghana from July 5, 2005 to July 1, 2006.

The statement said individual or self-nominations of the Outstanding Environmental Personality Contest would not be entertained. All entries are to be forwarded to: The Environmental Awards Committee, c/o Public Relations Department, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Accra.