Accra, July 21, GNA - Three institutions on Thursday presented their sponsorship packages to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) as their contribution towards the 16th GJA Awards scheduled for August 20, 2011.

The institutions are Plan Ghana, Multichoice and rLg Communications. At a ceremony in Accra, Mr Affail Monnie, Vice President of GJA, said the Association had fought very hard to promote media excellence and was also fighting for quality which will ensure professionalism.

He noted that the GJA Awards should be seen as part of the overall efforts by the Association in promoting high journalistic standards as well as a barometer for measuring periodically, the performance of Ghanaian media and journalists in particular.

Mr Monie expressed concern about the recent public outcry over the performance of the media and said journalists should not only be blamed for the unprofessionalism plaguing the media and gave the assurance that the Association was working hard to address it.

This year's awards will be boosted with six new awards in the areas of agriculture, science, oil and gas, anti-narcotics, social security and water. This will bring the total of competitive awards to 50.

Mr Cecil Sunkwa-Mills, Managing Director of Multichoice, commended the GJA for the efforts done so far in raising the journalistic standards.

He said Mutichoice was interested in awarding the Best Reporting on Education because it was the bedrock of everything and urged Ghanaian journalists to send more entries for the CNN journalists' awards which Multichoice also sponsored.

Mr Shedrach Frimpong, Project Manager of Plan Ghana, an international child centered NGO, said the organisation planned sponsoring the 93Best Journalist Reporting on Violence against Children in Justice Institutions" will serve as a source of motivation for journalists to focus on reporting on issues on children with more emphasis on the violations of children's rights.

He explained that the institution of the award will also facilitate a process where children's right in justice institution will be brought to the fore for duty bearers to be more responsive to issues affecting children.

"There are instances where media discussions held on issues of children have proved to be a more efficient way of helping in addressing their issues and these are the brain behind the establishment of this award," Mr Frimpong added.

Ms Millicent Atuguba, Communications Manager of rLg, outlined the essence of communication hence, the involvement of her institution.

She assured GJA of their continuous support in ensuring that Ghana's journalistic standards were improved and sustain the awards to a higher level.

Each sponsor presented a cheque for 3000 Ghana cedis whilst rLg will also support the awards with its products.