Member of Parliament for Builsa South and Deputy Minister for Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has donated GH¢10,000 to support journalism and the work of media practitioners in the Upper East Region.
Dr Apaak said the support was intended to contribute to improving the working conditions of journalists and strengthen their capacity to produce quality stories that serve the public interest.
His support comes after the 5th Upper East Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, held in Bolgatanga on October 2, 2026, to recognise journalists who distinguished themselves through professional and impactful reporting during the year.
The awards were held under the theme, “Beyond the Headlines: The Media’s Role in Promoting WASH for Safe Motherhood and Quality Healthcare.” The theme challenged journalists to move beyond routine reporting and investigate how gaps in water, sanitation and hygiene affect maternal health, healthcare delivery and communities.
Dr Apaak’s intervention adds to growing calls for stronger practical support for journalists in the region, particularly as reporters face logistical challenges in reaching underserved communities.
Upper East Regional GJA Chairman, Albert Sore, has previously highlighted the difficulty journalists face in accessing remote communities because of poor road networks, saying improved logistical support would enable reporters to reach more people whose concerns often remain unheard.
The 5th edition of the regional awards attracted 47 entries from 24 journalists, with winners recognised across several reporting categories, including education, health, environment, tourism, child protection and other areas of public interest.
The awards were headlined by MyTurn Constructions Limited and Lesken Enterprise Limited, with Kacstones Records and Paga Youth Movement serving as main sponsors. WaterAid Ghana, through its SHARE Project, was also a key partner, while ActionAid Ghana, NorthLite Solar and Alaffia were among organisations that supported the event. AfriKids Ghana sponsored the Education Reporting category.
The sponsorships, according to the organisers, are important not only for rewarding journalistic excellence but also for creating an environment where journalists can continue producing public-interest stories that contribute to accountability and development in the Upper East Region.
Dr Apaak’s GH¢10,000 support therefore comes at a time when the regional GJA is advocating for more practical investment in journalism, including equipment and logistics that can enable reporters to move beyond the major urban centres and tell stories from communities that are often left out of mainstream development conversations.
The intervention also reinforces the broader message of this year’s awards: that supporting journalists is ultimately an investment in the quality of information available to citizens and the accountability of institutions responsible for development.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com| 102.7 MHz| Bolgatanga
