Chairperson of the 8-member committee responsible for nominating finalists for the 23rd Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) awards, Dr. Doris Yartey, has chided journalists for the "flawed" entries for this year's award event.
Dr Yartey said most of the content submitted by reporters were weak, lacked focus, and unprofessional.
"The mode of entry submission was so flawed. We saw too much sloppiness in the way awards were submitted. You can't win an international award if you do not change," she decried.
Speaking at a press conference to announce prospective winners of this year's award ceremony, Dr. Doris Yartey explained that GJA seeks to make the awards more competitive by nominating the most intriguing story that will affect lives and bring change in the society.
She, therefore, adviced journalists to be professional in submitting their entries and not compare themselves to counterparts from the Western world.
Dr Yartey, who is also a member of the National Media Commission (NMC), disclosed that nominees were Accra-centered.
She also urged executives of the GJA to actively promote the award scheme by encouraging journalist from other regions to participate and send in their entries.
A member of the awards committee, Gabriel Bosompem, said there was not a single entry for science and technology which to him was discouraging.
He encouraged reporters to venture into the science and technology, which he termed as the driving force of the modern world, and touch on issues that will be in the interest of others.
"To the young ones here, the challenge is to you. Next year we want to see competitive reporting in science and technology that will take us to the next generation." He added.
Meanwhile, the 23rd GJA award ceremony is expected to be held at the Gold Coast Kempinski Hotel in Accra, on October 27, 2018.
A total of 36 reporters were shortlisted from over 500 entries, for their outstanding reportage in 2017.
The nominees, according to a 7-member committee, were selected based on accuracy, balance, potential impact of the story, background, accuracy, ethical standards, initiative, and language presentation.
Below is the list of nominees
JOURNALISTs/MEDIA FIRMS
Peter Quao Adator - TV3
Seth Kwame Boateng - JOY NEWS
Rebecca Quaicoo Duho - DAILY GRAPHIC
Peggy Ama Donkor - GTV
Linda Tenyah Ayettey - DAILY GUIDE
Ama Amankwaah Baafi - GRAPHIC BUSINESS
Joseph Opoku Gakpo - JOY NEWS
Moses Dotse Aklorbortu - DAILY GRAPHIC
Emmanuel Adu Gyamerah - DAILY GRAPHIC
Alice Aryeetey - GH ONE
Ridwan Karim Dini- Osman - GH ONE
Timothy Ngnenbe - DAILY GRAHIC
Portia Gabor - TV3
Seth J. Bokpe - DAILY GRAPHIC
Suleiman Mustapha - GRAPHIC BUSINESS
Charles Andoh - THE MIRROR
Stanley Nii Blewu - TV3
Severious Kale Dery - DAILY GRAPHIC
Joojo Cobinnah - JOY NEWS
David Kodjo- Asinesi - GHANAIAN TIMES
Nana Yaa Konadu - PEACE FM
Doreen Hammond - DAILY GRAPHIC
Samuel Adadi Akapule - GHANAIAN TIMES
Rebecca Ekpe - GBC RADIO
Ernest Manu - JOY NEWS
David Andoh - MY JOY ONLINE
Caesar Abagail - GNA
Dan Kwaku Yeboah - PEACE FM
Gabriel Ahiabor - DAILY GRAPHIC
Kwame Anum - TV AFRICA
Joyce Danso - GNA
Grace Nana Esi Boateng - OMAN FM
Justice Adoboe - XINHUA NEWS AGENCY
Saddick Adams - ATINKA TV
Bernard Avle - CITI FM
Jamila Akweley Okertchiri - DAILY GUIDE
MEDIA FIRMS
METRO
UTV
CITI FM
HELLO FM
OBONU
GNA
MOON LIGHT FM, SUNYANI
GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS
PEACE FM
KEKELI RADIO, HO
ZAA FM, TAMALE
RADIO WA, WA
WEST END RADIO, TAKORADI
Honorary Award Membership Awards - Media Owners
Dr. Kwame Despite - Despite Group
Dr. Ernest Ofori Sarfo -
Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom - GNTV GH
Samuel Amo Tobbin - Atinka Village
Distinguished Citizenship
Dr. COP George Akuffo Dampare -
