The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) will this year give an award for Development Journalism to journalists who have through their work sought to propagate the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The award for Development Journalism is one of the nine new award categories introduced by the GJA to promote high journalistic standards and to reward members who excelled in their work.
Mr. Ransford Tetteh, President of the Ghana Journalists Association, at a press briefing to launch this year's award said: "The competition has not only been growing in size and stature. We are convinced that it has been helping to motivate journalists in Ghana and indeed the Ghanaian media to aspire to high standards and professionalism."
The nine new awards include; Best report on small and micro scale enterprises, HIV/AIDS, crime and court reporting, hygiene and sanitation, best report on education, best report on anti corruption, best cartoonist and the best media house in promoting democracy and peace-building.
Mr. Tetteh said all the new awards except that of democracy and peace-building will go to an individual contestant.
"For the democracy and peace-building award, entries may be submitted in the form of editorials, commentaries, morning shows, panel discussion programmes etc."
He said entries will be received in all categories except for the "journalist of the year award" and explained that for the "journalist of the year award" nominations will be received from the public.
Mr. Tetteh said: "The public deserve to participate in a way because they are those the media serve…as part of efforts to encourage public participation, the GJA will engage the public in a predict and win competition for some selected categories which will be announced later."
Mr. Bright Blewu, General Secretary of the GJA, apologized for the misunderstand and miscommunication that happened in last year's predict and win programme in a run-up to the GJA awards.
He explained that the public participation did not necessarily mean that the most popular name should win as the final winner is left for the awards committee to select.
Explaining details of the awards categories and mode of application, he said the closing date for submitting of entries is 17th May, 2010.
He said in all, there are 38 awards to be won which include four categories which reward journalistic work in radio, television and print.
Entrants can enter three stories in whatever category they choose and make 12 photocopies of their work to be sent to the GJA office.
The award ceremony is scheduled for August 15, 2010.