The Eastern Region chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association has held its first ever media awards night to honour deserving journalists and all in the media landscape who excelled in their duties under the period in review.

The event held under the theme, "Repositioning the Eastern Region for investment and job creation: role of the media" at the weekend in Koforidua” saw the gathering of over 100 people from the media and partner stakeholders including the Minister for Regional Reorganisation and Development Dan Botwe, GJA President Affail Monney and Chiefs within the region.

Addressing the gathering at the event, President of the Eastern Regional chapter of GJA, Maxwell Kudekor highlighted the need for such an occasion and stressed on the relevance of the theme saying it was time for Journalists to move away from the heated political discussions t stories that affect and improve the lives of citizens.

Journalists, he emphasised, must be fearless and bold in promoting good content that promotes development irrespective of the name calling and partisan tag that may be accorded them because of the work they do to enhance public interest.

To this end, Maxwell Kudekor remarked, “As journalists, if our work cannot effect positive change within our society and improve the lots of people, then there is something fundamentally wrong with our job.”

“We agree that, most government officials don’t get excited when journalists bring to light the challenges of society. They mostly will say you are making their government unpopular. Irrespective of the party in power, you will be tagged anti-government when you start writing about the challenges of society. The need to promoting development journalism requires collaboration from all stakeholders” he observed.

There were 6 award categories at the maiden event cutting across various specialities including Indigenous Newscaster, Rural Reporting, Environmental Reporting, Road Safety Reporting, Health Reporting, Business Reporting.

Among the winners at the maiden awards night were Ama Takyiwa Ampadu Nyarko and David Kodjo, both of Ghanaian Times received the Best Health and Rural reporter respectively whiles Gilbert Frimpong of the Daily Statesman was adjudged the Best Environmental Reporter of the year.

Sylvanus Gatorwu of Healthylifegh.com and Kwadwo Amoako Gyampa of Good life FM were also recognised for emerging the best in HIV Response Reporting.

For Business reporting category, Candida Dery of GBC Sunrise FM was adjudged winner while Ebenezer Ayeh of UTV emerged best Road Safety Reporter. Kwadwo Amoako Gyampah again received the best Indigenous Newscaster prize.

All the award winners received a plaque and a certificate each as their prizes but the best Business reporter was given an HP laptop donated by Association of Ghana Industries (AGI).