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29th GJA Awards Celebrate Journalism in Kumasi as Mahama Vows Galamsey Crackdown

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John Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama at the 29th GJA awards
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The 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards took place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the historic Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, this years award  marked a significant shift as the event moved outside Accra for the first time to promote national inclusivity.

The awards was held under the patronage of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, which drew a constellation of dignitaries, including President John Dramani Mahama as the special guest and keynote speaker, Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, and KGL Group Executive Chairman Alex Apau Dadey.

The theme, “Safeguarding Ghana’s Future: The Role of the Media in Promoting Peace, Security, and the Fight Against Galamsey,” underscored the media’s pivotal role in tackling environmental degradation, social stability, and governance challenges posed by illegal small-scale mining (galamsey).

Key Highlights from the Ceremony

Awards and Winners: From 321 competitive entries, standout honorees included:

  • Journalist of the Year: Godwin Asediba (TV3/3FM), recognized for his investigative human-interest stories amplifying marginalized voices.
  • Sports Journalist of the Year: Muftawu Nabila Abdulai (JoySports), securing the award for the second consecutive year.
  • Student Journalist of the Year: Clinton Yeboah (Luv FM), repeating his win from the previous edition.
  • Best Illegal Mining Reporting: Ohemeng Tawiah (Luv FM), for impactful coverage on galamsey’s toll.
  • Best Radio/TV Programme in Ghanaian Languages: Ekosiisen (Asempa FM).
  • The Multimedia Group Limited (MGL) dominated with multiple wins across categories like current affairs, sports, and investigative journalism, reinforcing its leadership in Ghanaian media.

The evening opened with a somber minute of silence for journalists killed in the line of duty and those injured in recent anti-galamsey operations. Notably, three MGL journalists were hospitalized following an attack by illegal miners during an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raid in Obuasi, Ashanti Region.

The GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour highlighted these perils, calling for government support for medical bills and safety protocols. President Mahama directed his Chief of Staff to cover the costs, emphasizing: “My administration will not tolerate any form of intimidation or attacks on journalists.”

Mahama’s Vow: A Crackdown on Galamsey

In his keynote address, President Mahama recommitted to an unrelenting battle against galamsey, describing it as an existential threat to Ghana’s water bodies, forests, and public health. He pledged “bold, irreversible actions” including:

  • Deployment of advanced surveillance tech and dedicated anti-galamsey task forces.
  • Establishment of special courts for swift prosecution of offenders.
  • Enhanced protection for whistleblowers and journalists covering the issue.

Mahama also defended pending legislation like the Cybersecurity and Misinformation Bills as tools to combat falsehoods, not stifle press freedom, while vowing to shield media workers from harassment. His words resonated with the theme, framing journalism as a bulwark against environmental sabotage.

Broader Calls to Action

GJA President Dwumfour amplified the urgency, urging:

  • The Asantehene to wield his influence for community-led anti-galamsey drives.
  • Police to expedite probes into attacks on reporters and officials, demanding public briefings from the Inspector General.
  • A national policy shift toward “irreversible” commitments, beyond rhetoric.

The event, preceded by a welcome reception at Lancaster Hotel on November 7, blended celebration with advocacy, signaling a media landscape more intertwined with Ghana’s sustainability struggles.

As galamsey continues to ravage rivers like the Pra and Ankobra, the awards serve as both a beacon of journalistic valor and a rallying cry for collective resolve.

 

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Mahama Tours Media Houses, Condemns Assault on Reporter

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Pres. John Mahama
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On January 8, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama began a nationwide tour of selected media houses in Ghana, starting with a visit to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in Accra. The tour aims to promote accountability, strengthen public trust, and enhance cooperation between the government and the media.
During the visit, President Mahama strongly condemned recent attacks on journalists, particularly the assault on a Class Media Group (Class FM) reporter, Samuel Addo, allegedly by personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) on January 5, 2026. As a trained journalist himself, Mahama described such violence as “unacceptable” and stated that it “has no place in a democratic society.” He emphasized that his administration will not tolerate assaults on media professionals performing their duties.
He confirmed that the involved GNFS officers have been identified and interdicted, with ongoing investigations to ensure accountability. The President vowed to crack down on attacks against journalists and pledged a safe working environment for media practitioners.
This incident and Mahama’s response have drawn widespread support, including from organizations like the Global Media Foundation (GloMeF), which praised his prompt action.

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Mahama’s New Year Address Calls for Unity and 2026 Reforms

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President of Ghana
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On January 1, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama delivered his New Year’s message to the nation from the Jubilee House in Accra, reflecting on the progress made in his administration’s first year in office (following the 2024 elections) and outlining an ambitious vision for the year ahead.

The President declared that Ghana is “rising again” after inheriting a nation in economic distress in January 2025.

He highlighted achievements such as sharp reductions in inflation (projected to end 2025 in single digits around 5%), relative currency stability, restored business confidence, and prudent debt renegotiations, all under the government’s Reset Agenda.

A central theme was national unity. President Mahama passionately urged Ghanaians to transcend partisan divisions, stating:
“There is no NPP Ghana. There is no NDC Ghana. There is only one Ghana.”

He called for rejecting divisive politics, embracing mutual respect, and focusing on collective nation-building, emphasizing that “we are one people with a shared destiny” and that the Reset is for all citizens, regardless of political affiliation.

Looking to 2026, Mahama unveiled a bold roadmap for accelerated reforms and development, including:

  • Strengthening social protection and universal health coverage via free primary healthcare.
  • Economic transformation through job creation, agricultural mechanization, and value addition.
  • Affordable social housing via public-private partnerships.
  • 30% renewable energy in the national mix to reduce costs and promote sustainability.
  • Intensified anti-corruption efforts with “no sacred cows.”
  • Implementation of Constitutional Review Committee recommendations to deepen democracy.
  • Continued digitalization in education and infrastructure improvements.

The address positioned 2026 as a year of scaling up initiatives for inclusive growth, accountability, and positioning Ghana as a leader in African democratic renewal through initiatives like the Accra Reset Initiative presented at the UN.

The message resonated widely, with analysts noting its focus on governance reset and shared responsibility, concluding with a call for hope, prosperity, peace, and progress in 2026.

 

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Ghanaian Prophet Predicts Black Stars World Cup Finals Glory

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Renowned Ghanaian prophet Nigel Gaisie has declared during his church’s 31st-night crossover service on December 31, 2025 (into January 1, 2026), that Ghana’s Black Stars will reach the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He stated confidently: “The Black Stars will reach the final of the 2026 World Cup,” envisioning a historic performance for the team in the tournament co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

This comes as Ghana is drawn in a tough Group L with England, Croatia, and Panama, and is set for their fifth World Cup appearance after qualifying.

The prophecy has generated buzz across Ghanaian media and social platforms, with many fans excited about the prospect of glory—especially after past disappointments like early exits in 2014 and 2022.

 

The big questions

The Ghana Police Service (GPS) has consistently warned religious leaders against delivering prophecies that cause fear, alarm, or panic during crossover (31st-night) services, a policy in place for several years under Ghanaian law (e.g., offenses related to false publications or misleading communications, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment).

While no new explicit police statement was issued specifically for December 31, 2025, the longstanding caution remains in effect.

This was reinforced through actions like the arrest of self-proclaimed prophet Evans Eshun (aka Ebo Noah) on December 31, 2025, for his doomsday flood predictions that caused widespread public panic.

Ebo Noah

Evans Eshun (aka Ebo Noah)

Additionally, the National Peace Council urged prophets in late December 2025 to deliver messages “tactfully” and measurably to avoid disturbing public peace.

Regarding Prophet Nigel Gaisie’s prophecy about the Black Stars reaching the 2026 World Cup final (delivered during his 31st-night service), it appears to have been a positive, hopeful declaration rather than one inducing fear. Such uplifting prophecies typically do not fall under the police’s primary concerns, which focus on doom, death, or disaster predictions.

No reports indicate police action against Nigel Gaisie for this specific prophecy. He has historically pushed back against such warnings, often proceeding with his declarations (sometimes in coded form in past years).

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