By:Isaac Amoah

The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has organised a successful media awards night to honour 19 journalists for their excellent performances.

The awards event was held on Saturday, 24th October 2026, at Longford Royal Event Centre at Odeneho Kwadaso in Kumasi. It was on the theme: “Celebrating Excellence, Championing Credibility; Journalism in the Age of AI.”

Mr Kofi Adu Domfeh, the Ashanti GJA Chairman, who is also the News Editor of “Luv FM”, reminded media professionals that “speed may win attention, but professionalism earns trust.”

Mr.Kofi Adu Domfeh

He pointed out that artificial intelligence (AI) is changing journalism. According to him, AI offers exciting opportunities for research, production and storytelling, but it also makes it easier to create fake images, fabricate audio, manipulate videos and spread misinformation at an alarming speed.

Mr Domfeh, therefore, explained that what would distinguish professional journalism from the endless stream of content competing for public attention is credibility, stressing that the greatest asset of media professionals is not how quickly they publish, how many followers they command, or how widely their stories circulate. “Rather, it is about whether the public can trust us. AI can generate content, but journalists must provide verification, context, judgment, and accountability.”

GJA executives, invited guests in  a group photograph with award winners

He encouraged media professionals to embrace technology without compromising the ethics of the profession. “We must innovate without compromising accuracy. And we should never sacrifice the public interest for clicks, views, or vitality,” Mr. Domfeh cautioned.

The GJA chairman said, “For us in the Ashanti Region, credible journalism is critical as our communities face challenges such as illegal mining, environmental degradation, unemployment, public health concerns and governance deficits. Our people need journalists who investigate, ask difficult questions, amplify neglected voices, and hold power accountable.”

According to Mr. Domfeh, the journalism profession stood on the shoulders of men and women who worked through difficult periods, often with limited resources, but with immense courage, discipline and commitment.

They (journalists) helped shape our media institutions, strengthened public discourse, and created opportunities for the generations that followed. He added that “honouring our veterans is more than a ceremonial gesture. It is about preserving our history, learning from experience, and passing professional values to younger journalists.”

“To the younger generation, let us remember that professional success is not measured by popularity alone but by integrity, service, and the impact we make,” he stressed.

He said an awards ceremony of this nature required commitment, teamwork and considerable sacrifice.

“I commend the Ashanti Media Excellence Awards Planning Committee for the hard work and dedication that have brought us together tonight.

“I also extend our sincere appreciation to the jury, led by Dr Fortune Tella, for undertaking the important responsibility of assessing entries and selecting deserving award recipients,” he said.

Mr Domfeh said the credibility of these awards depended on the fairness, independence and integrity of the judging process. “We appreciate your service,” he added.

He, therefore, congratulated the award winners while urging them to remember that recognition brings responsibility. “Continue to lead by example. As we celebrate this evening, let us remember that the future of journalism depends on the choices we make every day.”

He, therefore, pledged that as Chairman of the Ashanti GJA, “my team and I remain committed to building a stronger professional association, promoting ethical journalism, advancing the welfare of our members and working with stakeholders to realise the Ashanti Press Centre.

“But this work cannot be accomplished by the regional executives alone. It requires the collective commitment of journalists, media organisations, corporate partners, and the wider public.”

“Together, we can build a media landscape that is innovative, responsible, credible, and worthy of the trust of our people,” he added.