UNILEVER Presents Award to Best Journalist

Mrs Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), on Thursday said the media and the private sector should work together for the effective development of the country. "The media should work closely with the private sector in the golden age of private sector development," she said.

Mrs. Affenyi-Dadzie was speaking at ceremony at which UNILEVER Ghana limited presented a sponsorship package, valued at 54 million cedis to Mr Kweku Baako Junior, the GJA Best Journalist of 1999.

Under the package Mr Baako would undertake a four-week Advance Journalism Course at the University of Cardiff in the United Kingdom.

The package is also made of a personal computer with complete accessories, a return ticket to the UK, accommodation, tuition and living allowance.

The GJA president also called for the repeal of laws inimical to the growth of the media. Mrs Affenyi-Dadzie said the media should inform government and industry on issues so as to help them make informed decisions on current industrial and economic issues, such joining of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.

She expressed appreciation to UNILEVER for the package and Expressed the hope that the course would sharpen he skills of the recipient.

Mr Norman Swanepoel, Human Resource Director of UNILEVER, said the company was proud to have been given the opportunity by the GJA to reward the best journalist.

He said the presentation is the company's mark of respect and appreciation for the role that the Ghanaian media is playing in the development of democracy.

Mr Swanepoel said although there have been excesses by journalists, the awareness they have created has generated debate to advance democracy.

He called on companies to cherish the quality in people and encourage the development of potentials adding that given the resources, exposure and encouragement the Ghanaian media would see a tremendous improvement.

Mr Kweku Baako, who thanked UNILEVER for the award, leaves for the United Kingdom on Saturday.