B&FT wins Business Newspaper of the Year

The Business and Financial Times, the most relevant and credible business publication, has been adjudged the Business Newspaper of the Year 2012 at the maiden Gold Awards for Business Journalism.

A Chief Correspondent of the paper, Mr. Ekow Essabra-Mensah, was also adjudged the Investigative Reporter of the Year and the Mining, Oil and Gas Reporter of the Year.

The awards, sponsored by the World Bank, Stanbic Bank, UT Group and the State Housing Company Limited, is aimed at rewarding outstanding journalists and media organisations in the areas of business, economic and financial reporting. It is also aimed at improving the quality of economic and business reportage in the country.

The event was put together by Masoe Productions West Africa in partnership with the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists, the umbrella-body for business and economic reporters in the country. In all, about 14 awards were given out on the day.

The organisers of the award said over 34 entries were received, with conspicuous similarity of style and occasional lack of depth in research and analysis in most of the works. However, the finalists had a marginal edge over the other entries, they said.

A seven-member jury vetted entries for the various categories and selected the nominees.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Adu Anane-Antwi, the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said: “The press is very important in providing information to the public.

For the capital market, the work of the financial journalist is very crucial to expose market abuses such as insider trading. This is why we need trained and well-resourced reporters to continuously give us quality reportage.”

Mr. Prince Kofi Amoabeng, the Group Chief Executive, UT Group, said there is need for financial and business journalists to upgrade themselves to be able to advance corporate Ghana and to keep government in check.

Ms. Tash Morgan, Corporate Communications Coordinator of Finatrade Group of Companies who was part of the jury, said three entries were chosen per category -- except in categories where there was either insufficient entries/entrants or the quality of works submitted were not worthy of recognition.

Samuel Doe Ablordeppey of Graphic Communications Group Limited was adjudged the overall Best Business Journalist of the Year. His prize package includes a trip to the United States for a training programme and an iPad.

Other award winners were Mr. Lloyd Evans, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Financial Journalism; Mr. Kwaku Effah Amponsah, SME Reporter of the Year and Feature Writer of the Year; and Mr. Felix Dela Klutse, Reporter of the Year 2012.

Citi FM won the Business Radio Station of the Year; TV3, the TV Station of the Year; and Business World won the Business Magazine of the Year.