Mr Mustapha Hamid, Minister of Information has launched a media fund for the Volta Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) with GH?5,000.00 seed money.

The launch was at the maiden Volta Journalists Awards dinner under the auspices of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Volta/Eastern and GJA Volta.

Mr Hamid bemoaned the low remuneration of journalists in the country and reiterated the call on GJA to fast-track its unionisation processes and fight for better salary structure for journalists.

He commended Volta GJA for the novelty and charged a three-member “Fund Management Committee” to find innovative ways of growing the fund to support members.

Mr Kojo Yankah, Founder of the African University College of Communications (AUCC) and Guest Speaker for the event asked journalists to “stretch out to get acquainted with, and understand thoroughly the small, medium and large scale business operations in the region.”

He said those that deserved feature articles, interviews and media mention should be highlighted appropriately and encouraged them not to shy away from critical evaluation of businesses where necessary.

Mr Yankah also called for the setting up of an Investment Development team made up of selected staff from the Regional Office and Municipal/District Assemblies to push the growth of industry in the region.

Mr Dela Gadzanku, President for AGI Volta /Eastern stated their resolve to partner the media to lead the industrialisation agenda of the region.

Mr Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi, Volta Regional Chairman, GJA, said journalists in the region were committed to promoting "aggressive industrialisation" and that; the Association was monitoring the progress of government’s “One District, One Factory”, policy.

He expressed disappointment at the poor performance of the Region on the District League Table and urged Municipal and District Chief Executives to develop interest in addressing issues of sanitation, health, education and misappropriation of funds.

Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, commended AGI and GJA Volta for the foresight and stated the willingness of the Regional Coordinating Council to support the ‘Volta Industrialisation” agenda.

He asked journalists to take advantage of government’s intervention in the agriculture sector and said the VRCC would initiate and support a “One Journalist, One Farm” programme.

A total of nine journalists and eight retired journalists were honoured at the well-patronised awards dinner sponsored by AGI and “powered” by ECG with supports from other public, private institutions and individuals.

Ms Sumaiya Salifu Saeed, of the Ghana News Agency (GNA) won the best Disaster Prevention and Management award.

Other award winners are; Mr Fred Duho of Global FM, Agricultural, Ms Ivy Setordzie and Mr Mawuli Yevu Agbi, Multimedia Group's Regional correspondents, Sanitation and Health awards respectively, Ms Tilda Elinam Acorlor, Volta Star Radio, Sports Reporting.

The rest are Mr Makafui Attipoe and Mr Gilbert Attipoe , TV Africa team, Education and Tourism, Ms Shallom Lumor, Kuul FM, Court and Crime and King Norbert Akpablie, Citi FM's Volta Regional correspondent, Business and Economics.