MTN Ghana has presented prizes to winners of its 25th Anniversary Bright Media Awards Competition which was organised for journalists in Ghana to write stories about the 25 years of MTN’s journey in Ghana.
The awards ceremony was held at Alisa Hotel in Accra; during which 12 journalists were presented with awards for coming top in the various categories of the competition.
A three-member jury made up of Nana Kwasi Gyan Apenteng – a former chair of the National Media Commission, Augustina Aforo Yeboah – former and first Female Editor of The Spectator Newspaper, and Maximus Ametorgoh – a Digital Media Analyst; reviewed works submitted by over 70 journalists across the country.
The entries received focused on MTN’s technological innovations, contribution to national development as well as other initiatives that have resulted in the transformation of livelihoods.
Samuel Dowuona, editor of TechGh24 online emerged the overall winner of the competition. For his prize he took home a plague, a MacBook, and a learning and development package worth GH¢10,000.
Ama Achiaa Baafi (Graphic), Thomas Tetteh (Dynamite Fm), Samuel Dowuona and Francisca Arhin (GHOne) emerged category winners for Print, Radio, Online and Television categories respectively and they also took home a plaque, laptop, and a learning development package worth GH¢7,000. The runners-up of the various categories received digital devices and up to GH¢5,000 worth of learning and development package. The full list of winners is below.
Addressing guests at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN – Selorm Adadevoh, appreciated the media in Ghana for their various contributions that have led to the growth of the organisation.
“This awards ceremony is dear to our hearts as a business, as we cherish the long-standing relationship between MTN and the Media. The media has been our critics, our advocates, our sources of information, channels to educate our customers, industry policy analysts and advocates.”
Professor Kwame Karikari – a Media Activist, Educator and founder for Media Foundation for West Africa was the guest speaker for the ceremony, and commended MTN for organising the awards as its contribution to promoting high standards in journalism and public communications. In his address, Prof. Karikari reiterated the importance of professionalism in the practice of journalism in Ghana, noting that journalists have a responsibility to lead enlightened public debates.
Some media umbrella bodies and individuals such as the National Media Commission, Ghana Journalists Association, Network of Communications Reporters, Journalists for Business Advocacy, Institute of Economic and Financial Journalists (IFEJ), Media Foundation for West Africa, Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Private Newspaper Publishers Association, Nana Kwasi Gyan Apenteng and Nii Maale Adsei were honoured for their various contributions to MTN over the years.
In attendance were the former dean of the school of Communications Studies – Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, President of Institute of Public Relations (IPR) – Mawuko Afadzinu, Director of the Springboard Foundation – Comfort Ocran, and Director of Marketing and Sales at Graphic Communications Group – Franklin Sowah.
The MTN Bright Media Awards competition was opened to all Ghanaian journalists to submit original works – not previously published or broadcasted stories based on the topic: ‘MTN Ghana – 25 Years of Brightening Lives’.
Full List of Winners
Overall Winner – Samuel Dowuona
Online Category Winners
Winner – Samuel Dowuona
1st Runner Up – Rev. Dr. Felix Dela Klutse
2nd Runner Up – Kofi Ahovi
Radio Category Winners
Winner – Thomas Tetteh
1st Runner Up – Rosemond Adjetey
2nd Runner Up – Nana Adwoa Entsuah
TV Category Winners
Winner – Francisca Arhin
1st Runner Up – Kwaku Bolton
2nd Runner Up – Phil John Quartey
Print Category Winners
Winner – Ama Achiaa Baafi
1st Runner Up – Michael Abayateye
2nd Runner Up – Suleimana Mustapha
