GJA fixes May 3 for Awards ceremony

Accra, March 31, GNA - The 2005 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards Night would now be held on May 3 2006 as part of the activities to commemorate World Press Freedom Day. This year's Press Freedom Week runs from April 26 to May 3.

The new date would give the Judges and Awards Committee more time to work on the unusually large number of entries. It is also to give enough time for all other arrangements towards a successful programme. The earlier date was April 7 2006.

Ms Ajoa Yeboah-Afari, President of GJA, who announced this on Friday during the inauguration of the 14-member GJA Awards Planning Committee in Accra, told members of the Association that work on the entries was progressing steadily and would be finished by the middle of next month.

The 14-member Awards Planning Committee has Ms Yeboah-Afari as the Chairperson and Ms Yaa Oforiwaa Acquah, GJA Treasurer; Mr Godwin Avenorgbo, Media Consultant; Mr Kwasi Afriyie Badu, KAB Governance Consult; Ms Doris Kuwornu, GTV; Mr Kwami Sefa-Kayi, Peace FM and Mr Bright Blewu, GJA General Secretary as members.

Others are Ms Cornelia Amoah, TV Africa; Mr Nanabayin Dadson, Editor, Graphic Showbiz; Mr Mathias Otibu, GIJ; Mr Mathew Mac-Kwame, GJA Public Relations Officer; Mr Peter Agbeko and Ms Monica Bleboo, both Public Relations Practitioners and Ms Marian Kyei of KAB Governance Consult.

Ms Yeboah-Afari announced the extension of the period for the nomination for Journalist of the Year for one more week and requested members of the public including, media practitioners to send their nominations to the Committee, giving reasons for their choice in not more than 120 words.

While thanking some corporate bodies including the Ministry of Information for the offer to sponsor various aspects of the Awards, the GJA President asked other companies and individuals wishing to sponsor specific awards or any other aspects of the event to contact the newly inaugurated Planning Committee.