Freelance journalist Edward Adjei Frimpong was named 2025 Best Business/Finance Journalist at the fourth Bono Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards in Sunyani.
Frimpong was recognised for a story examining how a community-based financial institution was using innovative financing practices to address the credit gap facing businesses, particularly those at the bottom of the economic pyramid, without requiring conventional collateral.
The awards, held under the theme “Ethics, Integrity, and Impactful Journalism, Essential Ingredients for Societal Transformation,” recognised journalists for reporting on business, mining, development, climate change, tourism, education and other areas.
The Ghanaian Times’ Bono Regional Correspondent, Daniel Dzirasah, won the Mining and Developmental Issues categories, while Joy News’ Precious Semevor was recognised for Climate Change and Green Transition reporting.
TV3’s Claude Kumi Abisa won the Tourism – Electronic category, while Daily Graphic’s Ali Biiya Mukusa received two awards for Agroecology and Agribusiness and Tourism – Print.
Jasmine Akwaboah of Sunyani-based Moonlite FM received a citation as the only female participant in this year’s competition.
Channel One TV/Citi FM’s Michael Sarpong-Mfum won the Education category, while Samuel Kumi of Service Radio was named Best Morning Show Host.
The overall Best Journalist award went to Lawrence Yeboah Gyan of Wisdom FM, a campus radio station of the Catholic University of Ghana at Fiapre, near Sunyani.
Special awards were presented to retired journalists Dr Leonard Victor Amengor and Charles Koomson, as well as institutions including ActionAid Ghana, Newmont Ahafo Development Foundation (NADeF), Bank of Ghana and Nsoatreman Community Bank PLC.
The Chairperson of the Bono Regional Branch of the GJA, Regina Benneh Siaw, raised concern over the spread of illegal mining in the region, warning that the activity could threaten its status as an important food-producing area.
She urged authorities to take decisive action to curb illegal mining and protect water bodies, forests, farmlands and the livelihoods of communities affected by the activity.
The guest of honour and National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, called for greater attention to the working conditions and financial sustainability of journalists and media organisations.
He said media institutions needed adequate resources to recruit and retain competent professionals, undertake investigative reporting and maintain strong regional newsrooms.
Nketiah said journalists should be able to build sustainable careers without becoming financially dependent on politicians, businesses and institutions they are required to cover. He said maintaining high professional standards also required attention to the financial sustainability of serious journalism.
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