GJA pays courtesy call to Ga Mantse

The Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has accepted an invitation to chair the 30th edition of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards.

The acceptance followed a courtesy call by a GJA delegation at the Ga Mantse Palace in Accra, where the Asociation formally invited the traditional ruler to lead the awards ceremony.

Discussions during the meeting focused on the invitation and the Ga Mantse’s contribution to the Association’s good standing, among other key issues.

The President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour said the influence of the Ga Mantse can not be underestimated.

"In 2021, the association was faced with a major challenge.

"Our election was supposed to be taking place in 2020, but for COVID and for the election 2020, we moved it to 2021. We were hit with a court injunction and it was stopped. Everything, in fact, the process was halted for almost a year. So His Royal Majesty, you stepped in, you called us, you invited us to your house. I remember I later invited all the parties together with Justice Julia, former Justice of the High Court. You were able to use your wisdom and a fountain of experience to mediate, resolve the statement, and we were able to move ahead," Albert Dwumfour stated.

He also highlighted prospects for collaboration between the GJA Awards and the Sacred Crown Awards by the Ga State.

"I can tell you without mincing words that together with my national executives, we are ready to partner your leadership and the Ga Traditional Council to organise this special award."

The Ga Mantse accepted the chairmanship while reiterating the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration.

"We do not take this relationship for granted at all, knowing a part of the media in our space in terms of governance in this country. The media, I would say, is the fourth arm of government.

"It can make or break this country. You would see how the media has been used in several nations. But I believe that in Ghana, we have been progressive under your tenure.

"I gladly accept to chair the GJA Awards and I'm happy to do it with my big brother, Otumfuo Osei Tutu."

Mr Dwumfour also confirmed that President John Dramani Mahama, the Speaker of Parliament and other dignitaries are expected to attend the 30th edition of the awards.

"The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Damadi Mahama, who is a proud member of the Association, has given his full assurance and confirmation to be the keynote speaker of the 30th GJA Awards. Again, we also have assurance of the Speaker of Parliament, as well as the Chief Justice of the. And to also grand it with royalty, His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will be coming down as the patron of the 30th GJA Awards."

The 30th GJA Awards, come November 7, 2026 will recognise excellence in journalism and celebrate practitioners whose work has contributed to public-interest reporting and the development of the media landscape in Ghana.