The second edition of the Upper West Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards concluded in Wa with a resounding call from media leaders, traditional rulers and corporate partners to prioritise the welfare, sustainability and ethical standards of journalists operating in the region.Held under the theme, “Upholding Media Excellence, Promoting Ethical Journalism, Accountability and Regional Development,” the ceremony brought together key stakeholders to celebrate journalistic achievements while addressing the severe economic and operational challenges confronting practitioners in northern Ghana.Opening the ceremony, the Chairman of the occasion and former Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Major Albert Banoba Don-Chebe (Rtd), underscored the fundamental role of a free press in safeguarding democracy.“The media is the foundation of our democracy. They are watchdogs and guardians of our societal progress,” Major Don-Chebe stated.He stressed that regular recognition is essential to remind practitioners that their labour in underserved communities is not taken for granted.Echoing these sentiments, the Upper West Regional GJA Chairman, Prosper Kuorsoh, highlighted the transformative power of rural journalism.He noted that journalists serve as crucial bridges between policymakers and underserved rural communities, amplifying the voices of vulnerable people—from farmers in Kunfabiala to pupils in forgotten schools under mango trees.Despite the pivotal role of the media, speakers consistently pointed to the stark economic realities and welfare challenges facing journalists in the Upper West Region.Prosper Kuorsoh spoke candidly about the arduous task faced by executive members in mobilising resources for the event, criticising corporate bodies and institutions that are eager to seek free media coverage but decline to invest in media sustainability.“The media cannot champion accountability while being starved of support,” Kuorsoh asserted. “The media that promotes your business today is the same media that will hold you accountable tomorrow. You cannot have one without the other.”Adding a traditional perspective, the representative of the Wa Naa and the Wa Traditional Council acknowledged that local journalism in the region often resembles voluntary service.He noted that many media outlets, particularly local radio stations, struggle to meet basic operational costs, including electricity bills and other financial obligations, directly affecting practitioners’ livelihoods and their capacity to conduct field research.Addressing professional integrity, the representative of the Wa Traditional Council commended local journalists for their pro bono coverage of the 2026 Dumba Festival.However, he cautioned against unethical practices, specifically urging reporters to refrain from ethnic profiling in crime reporting.Referring to concerns raised by the Fulbe and Nigerian communities, he advised journalists to identify suspects by name rather than tribe in order to avoid stigmatisation.The National General Secretary of the GJA, Dominic Hlordzi—who represented GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour—emphasised that awards are not merely the presentation of plaques, but instruments for promoting high standards and constructive competition.He encouraged reporters to focus on critical development sectors, including health, agriculture, sanitation and education.Mr Hlordzi also announced the approval of all recent GJA membership applications submitted from the Upper West Region, a move expected to strengthen the collective welfare of practitioners.In response to the resource gap, corporate sponsors pledged direct support to enhance journalists’ skills and welfare.Delivering a key address on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the Anwelle Foundation, Mr Frank Anwelle, the Board Chairman, Prof. Williams Angko, outlined the foundation’s interventions in education, health insurance and local empowerment.Prof. Angko announced that the Anwelle Foundation would fully fund an upcoming investigative writing clinic in the region, bringing seasoned investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni and his team to train local reporters.“A well-trained journalist is not just a better storyteller; you become a stronger guardian of truth, accountability and democratic progress,” Prof. Angko said, promising continued support for future GJA awards.Other key sponsors acknowledged for their contributions included businessman Alhaji Alhassan Nuhu Gbangu, MP Dr Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, MTN Ghana, NEDCo, Bliss Eye Care, represented by Dr Zakarea Al-Hasan Balure, Hudu Foundation, led by Alhaji Hudu Mogtari, Bill Clinical Laboratories, Capex Ghana, Delmini Africa and Abrantie Fashion.The climax of the evening saw Philip Tengzu, the Upper West Regional Correspondent for the Ghana News Agency (GNA), win three major honours, including the prestigious Upper West Journalist of the Year award.Tengzu also took home the awards for Education Reporting and Environment and Climate Change Reporting.His winning education feature, “Resking for Education: The Woes of the Bleepoor Children,” spotlighted more than 200 pupils in the Wa East District learning in dilapidated mud structures, exposing systemic inequalities in education.His previous reporting on disability rights prompted Myturn Construction Company Limited to donate a wheelchair to a child with a disability who was unable to access school.In his acceptance speech on behalf of all the awardees, Tengzu dedicated the awards to the people of the region, noting that the recognition represented a renewed commitment to serving rural communities.