The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has announced that this year’s Media Awards will, for the first time, be hosted outside the capital, Accra; a move hailed as both symbolic and historic.

Delivering a keynote speech at the unveiling ceremony in Accra, GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour described the decision as a “renewal of a sacred tradition” that celebrates “excellence, integrity and the enduring power of Ghanaian media to influence change and safeguard the destiny of our beloved nation.”

The 2025 GJA Media Awards, slated for Saturday, 8 November, will take place in Kumasi, under the patronage of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene.

The GJA President explained that the decision to move the awards to Kumasi was intended to make the Association’s activities more inclusive and national.

“It is not merely a change of venue, it is a symbolic statement of inclusivity that signifies the GJA's commitment to making our Association truly national,” he added. 

According to Kwabena Dwumfour, hosting the event under the auspices of the Asantehene represents “a moment of profound honour, a convergence of tradition, wisdom and professionalism.”

“The Ashantehene embodies peace, justice and leadership, values that lie at the very heart of responsible journalism.

In His Majesty’s stewardship and devotion to Ghana’s unity and development, we find inspiration to tell stories that build bridges, bring sunlight where there is darkness, and give voice to the voiceless,” he stated.

The ceremony is expected to draw nearly 1,000 guests, including government ministers, diplomats, business leaders, journalists and civil society representatives, all gathering under what Kwabena Dwumfour described as “a royal and national celebration.”

Guest speaker, Alex Ofosu Kwakye, representing the government, expressed delight at the decision to bring the event to Kumasi and pledged government support.

“We intend to do whatever we can to make this year’s celebration a success.

This event has become the most sought-after within the journalistic fraternity, one that inspires practitioners to give their best,"  he said. 

However, he also highlighted the challenges posed by the rise of social media and artificial intelligence, urging the GJA to adapt to the shifting media landscape.

He called on the Association to “rope in” new media practitioners, including citizen journalists and social media Influencers, to ensure that ethical standards guide their work.

“The advent of social media and further developments like AI have thrown some challenges to the traditional ways of doing things, and that has made it necessary for greater innovation, more evolution and the adoption of new approaches.

We should not see them as a nuisance; they are part of the new reality of information dissemination,” he added 

Mr Kwakye also emphasised that while the government remains committed to protecting press freedom, it must also take steps to prevent the abuse of online platforms.

“Some individuals have used social media to threaten others or spread misinformation.

The government will ensure that new media operate within the boundaries of the law, not to curb freedom, but to protect public safety,” he assured. 

He reassured journalists that President Mahama remains committed to free expression, describing him as “exceptionally tolerant and open to dialogue.”

“On the part of government, we are working hard to ensure that the same levels of regulations which permit Journalistic practice and which do not infringe on the frontiers of Journalistic practice are brought to bear on new media so that activities of operators within new media will be carried out within the boundaries of the law”, he added.

The GJA Media Awards, now in their 29th year, remain the pinnacle of journalistic recognition in Ghana celebrating reporters, editors and producers whose work upholds the principles of truth, ethics and public service.

This year’s royal edition in Kumasi is expected to blend tradition, innovation and excellence, marking a defining moment for Ghana’s ever-evolving media landscape.