Six journalists in the Volta Region on Saturday received awards for their dedication and hard work.

Mr Albert Adoko of Ghana Television came first. He received a return ticket from Accra-Rome-London-Accra. Mr. Anthony Amoah of the Daily Graphic and Mr Alberto Mario Noretti of the Ghanaian Times came second and third respectively.

Each received a cheque for Two Million cedis and a Ghana Telecom One-Touch connect card costing about 500,000 cedis.

Other award winners were Messrs Maxwell Awumah of the Ghana News Agency, Frank Muzzu of the Ghanaian Chronicle and Kwame Senyo of the Volta Star FM Station, who received 150,000 cedis each.

Mr Francis Aggrey Agbotse, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ho-West instituted the award in recognition of the performance of Journalists in the region.

Mr Agbotse said the criminal libel law would not be expunged from the statutory books unless "journalists demonstrate a high sense of professionalism and are more investigative in the performance of their duties".

He said despite the high performance of journalists, there is low coverage of activities in the region in the mass media. The MP appealed to editors to give equal space and airtime to regional activities.

He advised journalists to do detailed reportage on the environment and tourist potentials in the region to open up the area for investment.

Mr Agbotse gave an assurance that the award scheme, which is in its second year, will continue for the next three years.

Mr Kofi Attor, MP for Ho-Central asked journalists especially those working with radio stations, to be circumspect in reporting on the elections.

He advised them not to make hasty pronouncements, but rely on the official results from the Electoral Commission.

Madam Vinolia Abra Mante, Votla Regional Co-ordinator of the National Council on Women and Development and member of the National Media Commission commended the press for their dedication to duty "even under difficult conditions".

Mrs Hillary Gbedema, Regional Programme Co-ordinator of Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF) called for more constructive reportage on women and children in the media.

She called for a responsible press that accepts its shortfalls and gives the public a hearing through rejoinders adding, "we are partners in development".

Mr Tim Dzamboe, Volta Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association asked journalists to brace themselves up for the challenges of the new era emerging on the media landscape.

He said the success of the country's democracy would create the congenial atmosphere for the media to thrive. He thanked Mr Agbotse for his gesture and appealed to others to emulate him.

Mr Adoko on behalf of the other award winners thanked Mr Agbotse for his initiative and advised the other journalists to work harder.