Bishop Dr Richard Owusu Akyeaw, the General Overseer of the Living Grace Ministries has urged the media to play their vital role in peace building and sustenance in diligence to advance progressive national development.
He emphasized that the media remained a catalyst in peace building and sustenance and asked practitioners to do more, promote conflict resolution mechanisms and social cohesion required for progress development.
Bishop Dr Akyeaw gave the advice when speaking at the 2024 Awards of the Bono and Ahafo Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association held at Abesim near Sunyani on the theme “The role of the media as a tool for peace building and development in the Bono and Ahafo Regions”.
Bishop Dr Akyeaw highlighted the role of the media towards building a better society, saying the role of the media in peace management and sustenance could not be overemphasized.
“We’re comfortably seated here enjoying this wonderful ceremony all because of the prevailing peace we have”, he stated, and underscoring the need for the media to do more to strengthen the prevailing peace of the regions and the nation by extension.
Bishop Dr Akyeaw reminded that development could not progress in an environment of violent conflicts, turmoil and war and disturbances.
He expressed worry that chieftaincy and succession disputes and land litigations threatened the prevailing peace of the region and urged the media to remain circumspect in their reportage in order not to fan conflicts.
“Always remember that the pen is mightier than the sword”, he quoted, urging the media to avoid tendencies that could divide the people and tear the region apart.
Mr Biiya Mukusah Ali, the Bono Regional Correspondent of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) was adjudged the overall best Journalist after bagging three awards in political, agroecology and newspaper categories.
For his prize he took away two laptops sponsored by MTN Ghana and ActionAid Ghana, a non-governmental organisation, plaques and citations.
Other award winners included Mr Lawrence Yeboah Gyan of Suncity Radio, a local FM, picking the Best Feature Reporter and News Anchor (English), Mr Emmanuel Kwadwo Gyan of Sky FM, Best Feature Reporter (Radio) and Mr Claude Kumi Abisa of Onua TV, Best Health Reporter.
Miss Jasmine Akwaboah of Moonlite FM was also adjudged the Best Female Journalist, Mr Michael Sarpong Mfum of Channel One TV, Best Education and Telecommunications Reporter, Mr Samuel Mensah of Peace FM, Best Crime reporter and Osei Laar of Suncity Radio, Best News Anchor (Twi) and each of them received a tablet, certificate and plaque.