Accra, Sept. 10, GNA - Three staff of Ghana News Agency (GNA), Ghana's only wire service were among journalists honoured at the 16th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards held in Accra Friday night. They are Mrs Hannah Awadzi for Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene, Mr Kafui Kanyi for Small and Micro Scale Enterprise and Mr Caesar Abagali for Child Rights.

Each of them received a certificate, plaque and a laptop at the awards ceremony on the theme: 93Giving Impetus to Democracy and Development in Africa: The Role of Investigative Journalism." In all, 34 individuals and media organisations were awarded in various categories and for their sterling contributions to the development and growth of journalism in the country.

Mr Kwaku Owusu Peprah, Western Regional Correspondent of Joy FM, an Accra-based radio station, was adjudged the 16th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Professor P.V. Ansah Journalist of the Year 2010 Award.

He was also adjudged the Best Rural Reporter, a category sponsored by the Government.

The 11-member GJA Awards Committee, which scrutinised entries for the awards, adjudged Mr Peprah's story on Millennium Development Goals 5 for meeting all the requirements of the most-prized Ghanaian journalism award.

Mr John Tia Akologu, who deputized for Vice President John Dramani Mahama, and Mr David Mureithi, Managing Director of Unilever West Africa, presented a plaque and certificate to Mr Peprah.

Mr Peprah's prize, valued at GH¢37,500, includes a trip to the United States to undertake an attachment with a renowned media house, interact with some journalists and visit a historical site, courtesy Unilever Ghana Limited, sole sponsor of the Journalist of the Year.

In a brief remark, Mr Peprah said he was humbled and thanked God for the honour.

He thanked his colleagues for their cooperation and encouragement.

Other recipients were, Mr Edmund Smith-Asante, Ghana Business News, (Environmental Sanitation and Water) Ms Fati Shaibu Ali, Etv, and Daily Graphic Education Team (Education), Naa Lamiley Bentil, Daily Graphic, (Environment), Ms Lucy Adoma Yeboah and Mrs Rebecca Quaicoo-Duho, both of Daily Graphic (HIV and AIDS).

The rest were; Mr Richard Sky, Citi FM, (Health), Ms Odelia Ofori, TV3, (MDGs), Mr Kofi Yeboah, Daily Graphic, (Agriculture), Mr Asamoah Tuffuor, Ghanaian Times, (Crime and Court Reporting), Sammy Darko, Joy FM, (Political Reporting) Manasseh Awuni, GBC and a Freelance, (Human Rights with Focus on Child Rights), Ms Vicky Wereko, Daily Graphic and Freelance, (Best Columnist), Samuel Dowuona, Adom FM, (Telecommunications).

Others were; Mr Charles Takyi Boadu, Daily Guide, (Investigative Reporting), Mr Edward Nyarko, GTV, (Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu Award for Business, Finance, Economic Reporting, Arts, Entertainment and Domestic Tourism), Mr Bashiru Adam, Public Agenda, (Best Print Feature Report), Mr Eric Adjei Ansah, Metro TV,(Best Television Feature Report), Mr Dominic Hlordze, GBC (Best Radio News Reporting), Mr Sylvanus Kumi, Business Guide, (Oil and Gas), Mr Kofi Enchill, Heritage Newspaper, (Anti-narcotics), Mr Samuel Agyemang, Metro TV, (Disability), Mr William Asiedu, Mirror, (Best Print Feature Report), Mr Charles Okine, Daily Graphic, (Social Security), a staff of Business and Financial Times (Social Security), Mr Manasseh Azurie, GBC (Best Television News Reporting and the Most Promising Journalist).

Daily Graphic was adjudged the Best Layout and Designed Newspaper, Radio Peace, Best Radio Programme (Akan), Obono FM, Best Radio Programme (Ga).