Three journalists have been honoured by the German Embassy and the UK High Commission for their outstanding investigative reports on illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, and its devastating environmental impact.
The awards, presented as part of activities marking World Press Freedom Day, held on May 3, recognised the crucial role of the media in holding power to account for and expose the harmful effects of unregulated mining in Ghana.
UK High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Harriet Thompson, praised the awardees and underscored the essential contribution of journalism in the fight against environmental degradation.
“To ensure this can happen, their protection from harassment and intimidation is paramount,” she said.
German Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Daniel Krull, also emphasised the global stakes of responsible mining during an interview with Citi News.
He called for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to mineral extraction.
He also highlighted the illegal trade of galamsey gold as a pressing issue that must be tackled collectively.
The award jury, chaired by Emmanuel K. Dogbevi, Managing Editor of Ghana Business News, commended the journalists for their courage and initiative.
However, he noted the need for improvement in the depth and quality of investigative journalism.
“We’re still a long way off in terms of the quality and depth of work,” he added. He lamented that most of the stories submitted “barely scratched the surface of the subject matter of illegal mining,” he said.
Dogbevi emphasised the importance of storytelling, stating, “It’s not enough to courageously gather evidence or data from the field. Journalists ought to put in the work to craft a compelling story.’
The three journalists honoured were:
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Best News Report – Timothy Ngnenbe, Daily Graphic
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Best Long Form Written Report – Seth J. Bokpe and Edmund Agyemang Boateng, The Fourth Estate
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Best Long Form Broadcast – Clara Mlano, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation