I haven’t received my award – Aku Baneseh cries

The reigning Journalist of the Year Mabel Aku Baneseh is yet to be given her prize package by the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) almost a year on since the awards ceremony.

Baneseh was promised a trip outside the country, an undisclosed amount of money and a car for emerging overall winner for the year 2013.

She emerged journalist of the year for her exceptional reports on the 2012 election petition trial which traveled for well over eight months.

However, nine months on, the court correspondent of the state-owned Daily Graphic told StarrFMonline.com exclusively that the only package she has received are two television sets and two RLG laptops she won for emerging winner in the political and court reporting categories. In addition, she has also received the Gh¢5,000 the Asantehene promised her.

“I was told by the GJA president that about a month or two to the awards, the main sponsor Unilever pulled out. That is what I have been told," Baneseh explained.

“I didn’t have any idea what exactly the entire prize package was about, but I was told by another journalist that it included a car and a trip.

“Even though as a mother I couldn’t accept to travel outside for too long, at least it should have been offered for me to reject.

“As we speak nothing has been given me; nothing at all,” she said.

According to her, the situation has become embarrassing to her since her friends and relatives keep asking if she had redeemed her prize.

“I wouldn't have spoken about it but I decided to speak out because another GJA awards have been launched and I think it’s unfair that till date my package has still not been delivered”.

Meanwhile, the president of the Ghana Journalists Association Roland Affail Monney has confirmed to StarrFMonline.com that the association is yet to deliver the package to her.

He, however, maintains that they are in talks with the winner to resolve the issue.