The Eastern Regional branch of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) have launched its second edition of media awards celebration.

The occasion which is on the theme "securing a malaria free Ghana, the role of media" will be held in July this year.

Speaking at the launching ceremony , the Eastern Regional GJA Chairman, Mr Maxwell Kudekor said, the media awards was instituted to acknowledge hardworking journalists in a quest to promote development journalism in the region.

He explained that the theme focuses on malaria because; malaria has become one of the major health issues in the country with Eastern Region topping the malaria prevalence in the country.

Mr Kudekor said research has revealed that malaria prevalence is very high in the mining and farming areas.

He explained that, the objective of this year's media award is to encourage, update and bridge the knowledge gap of journalists on the current happenings in malaria control.
Mr Kudekor said journalists would be awarded in areas including business and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME), environment, health, rural reporting, road safety, water and sanitation.

Other areas include, reporting on crime and court, developmental reporting, indigenous news casting and agriculture.

Mr Kudekor announced that nominations of journalists to be awarded will begin from May 20, to July 24, this year.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Eric K. Darfour appealed to journalists to also consider HIV and AIDS as a topic for discussion and report on it since its prevalence has begun to increase in the country in recent times.

The Director of the National Youth Authority, Ms Marian M. Minnah encouraged journalists to take pride in their profession by being disciplined and host programs which will influence the public, particularly young people positively.

She complained about the kind of music the media houses play in recent times which tend to have bad influence on children .