Ms Doreen Hammond, of the Graphic Communication Group Limited was on Sunday morning adjudged, the 2018 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) “Journalist of the Year” at the 24th GJA Awards ceremony held in Accra.
Ms Hammond, who is the Editor of Junior Graphic, one of the Group’s Newspapers, was also honoured as the “Best Columnist for 2018”.
At the awards ceremony held on Saturday night, the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) where Ms Hammond works topped the awards with a total of twelve awards.
Before rising to become the Editor of the Junior Graphic in September 2019, Ms Hammond was the Features Editor of the Daily Graphic newspaper, a position she held since 2008.
In April 2019, she was appointed Acting Editor of the Junior Graphic newspaper in addition to her regular schedule.
She is a columnist of the Daily Graphic and a multiple GJA awards winner- Best Report for Health (Print) 2017, Best Report for Education (Print) 2015, Best Feature Writer (Print) 2011 and Best Feature Writer (Print) 2010.
Before joining the Graphic Communications Group, she worked with the New Times Corporation.
Ms Hammond holds a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Communication Studies from the University of Ghana, Legon.
She is a product of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).
Ms Doreen Hammond, in her remarks after receiving the award, said some journalists had the wrong perception that exhibiting themselves on social media with unethical content was what could give them exposure and encouraged them to rather work with high ethical and journalistic standards to keep working professionally as they would surely be recognised.
“I will urge journalists to continue to protect the good image of this noble profession. Let’s also continue to be the voice of the voiceless,” she added.
Ms Hammond believed journalism was more than politics and advised media institutions to prioritise and dedicate space and airtime to other social issues that could drive nation-building.
She dedicated the Award to her family for the inspiration, the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) for the platform, and expressed gratitude to all those who pushed her to excel since she entered the journalism profession including; the New Times Corporation, where she moved from to GCGL.
The ceremony was the high point of the 70th Anniversary celebrations of the GJA this year, which is on the theme, “Democracy, Freedom and Independence of the Media in Ghana.”
The Special guest of honour was the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Honorary awards were presented to a number of personalities including Sir Sam Jonah and Dr Charles Wereko Brobbey.
In the competitive award winners’ category, the following were recognised
Doreen Hammond (Graphic) – Best Journalist for the Year 2018
Doreen Hammond (Daily Graphic) – Best Columnist
Rebecca Kwei (Daily Graphic) – Best HIV/AIDS Reporter
Maxwell Akalaare Adombilla (Graphic Business) – Best Economic and Financial Reporter (Print)
Nana Konadu Agyeman (Daily Graphic) – Best Transport and Road Safety Reporter (Print)
Moses Dotse Aklorbortu (Graphic Business) – Best Oil and Gas Reporter
Maclean Kwofi (Graphic Business) – Best Maritme Reporter (Print)
Kester Aburam Kuranchie (Graphic Business) – Best Investigative Reporter
Edmund Smith-Asante (Daily Graphic) – Best Tourism Reporter (Print)
Charles Andoh (The Mirror) – Best Education Reporter (Print)
Charles Benoni Okine (Graphic Business) – Best Telecommunication Reporter (Print)
Daily Graphic – Best Newspaper
Citi Breakfast Show – Best Morning Show (English)
Citi FM – Best Radio Station (English)
Samuel A. Akapule (Ghanaian Times) – Best Rural Reporter
Kingsley Hope (Ghanaian Times) – Best Sports Reporter (Print)
John Vigah (Ghanaian Times) – Best Feature Writer (Print)
Geoffrey Buta (The Spectator) – Best Photo Journalist
Alberto Mario Noretti (Ghanaian Times) – Best Small and Medium Scale Reporter (Print)
Abigail Annor (Ghanaian Times) – Best News Reporter (Print)
Kwaku Osei Bonsu (GNA) – Winner of Dr G.T. Anim Award for Ethics in Journalism
Prosper Kuorsoh (GNA) – Best Agric Reporter (Print)
Albert Futukpor (GNA) Best Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Reporter (Online)
Albert Oppong Ansah (GNA) – Best Environment Reporter (Electronic)
A.B. Kafui Kanyi (GNA) – Best Child Protection and Participation (Electronic)
GNA – Best Online News
Janet Abena Quainoo (GTV) – Best Rural Reporter (Electronic)
Ibrahim Oppong Boateng (GTV) – Best Court and Crime Reporter
Clara Mlano (GTV) – Best Reporter in Illegal Mining (Galamsey)
GTV – Best Democracy and Peace Building Television Station
GTV – Best Radio and TV Programme in Ga, Ewe
Portia Gabor (TV3) – Best Female Journalist
Portia Gabor (TV3) – Best Transport And Road Safety (Electronic)
Peter Quao Adator (TV3) – Best Sports Reporter (Electronic)
Evelyn Tengmaa (TV3) – Best Political Reporter
TV3’s New Day – Best Television Morning Show (English)
Ina Thalia Quansah (Joy News/Radio Maxx) – Most Promising Journalist
Seth Kwame Boateng (Joy News) – Best Human Rights Reporter
Seth Kwame Boateng (Joy News) Best in Features (TV)
Justice Baidoo (Joy News) – Best Telecommunication (Electronic)
Beryl Ernestina Richter (Joy News) – Best Health Reporter (TV)
Nabil Ahmed Rufai (GHOne TV) – Best Education Reporter (Electronic)
Alice Aryeetey (GHOne TV) –
Alice Aryeetey (GHOne TV) – Best TV News Reporter
GHOne TV – Best Television Station (English)
Kofi Amoah (TV Africa) – Best Reporter in Disability
Grace Nana Esi (Oman FM) – Best Maritime Reporter (Electronic)
Adu Gyamfi Marfo (Kingdom FM) – Child Protection and Participation (Radio)
Kabu Nartey (GIJ) – Best Student Journalist
Anim Addo (UTV) – Best Agric Reporter (TV)
UTV’s Heritage Ghana – Best TV Programme in Akan
Peace FM’s Kookrokoo – Best Morning Show (Akan)
UTV – Best Television Station (Akan)
Peace FM – Best Radio Station (Akan)
Di Asa on Atinka TV – Best Arts and Entertainment Programme
Best Regional FM Stations – West End Radio, Bright FM, Radio Savannah, URA Radio, Radio Upper West, Space FM, Classic
Source: GNA
