The 2025 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) award is expected to be held in the Ashanti region as the new regional chapter of the association sees a new dawn of leadership transformation.

Announcing the new destination for the prestigious award ceremony, GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, revealed that the Manhyia Palace will host and celebrate media and journalistic excellence in the country.

He made the revelation during the swearing-in of new leaders of the Association in the Ashanti Region.

Inducting the new officers, Mr. Dwumfour charged them to live up to their mandate in championing the welfare and protection of members as they work assiduously and closely to rope in more members into the regional body.

“You have been entrusted with the crucial mandate to champion the welfare, safety and professionalism of members while contributing to the broader developmental efforts of the region and beyond,” he urged.

The swearing-in event brought together journalists across the region, where the newly elected executives, Kofi Adu Domfeh - Chairperson, Nicholas Osei-Wusu – Vice Chairperson, Beatrice Spio-Gabrah - Secretary, and Dr. Neta Kris Abiana Parsram - Treasurer, were sworn into office.

The GJA is aiming to decentralise its operation in a more coordinated approach through its regional leaderships for effective governance.

With only six of the regional chapters securing permanent offices, the Ashanti region is yet to have an office after a land leased to the association years ago for its operations has allegedly been sold out.

Ashanti regional minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, assured of investigations into the matter as commissioned by the President in probing transactions of state lands.

“A land was made available for the GJA office. Unfortunately, in the space of a few years, you are struggling to account for the land. The GJA land will be a priority land. Instead of just taking it away from you, there should be compensation to ensure we establish the media as the fourth estate,” he assured.

The minister further assured of the government’s commitments to safeguarding journalists in the region after pockets of physical assaults were launched on some members in recent times.

Dr. Amoakohene also urged a collaboration between the regional office and the media in promoting government business as the government resets the nation through its various developmental and social initiatives.

The new leadership reiterated the vision to collectively and progressively push the regional association forward while upholding the ethics of the profession.

“In this era of misinformation and dwindling public trust, quality journalism remains our strongest currency. We will prioritize continuous training, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing platforms to equip our members with the tools to uphold the highest standards of truth, accuracy, and fairness,” said Kofi Adu Domfeh.

The Ashanti regional GJA Chair added that “bloggers and digital content creators are reshaping the media space. Instead of leaving them on the periphery, I envision a future where the GJA empowers, guides, and integrates them into the broader media ecosystem. By doing so, we can amplify ethical storytelling and ensure responsible use of the digital space."