Shawana Yussif wins Best Gender Reporting at Northern GJA Awards

Shawana Yussif, the Northern Regional Bureau Chief for Channel One TV, has been honored with the Best Gender Reporting Award at the Northern Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards. The recognition marks the second consecutive year that Yussif has been celebrated for her journalistic excellence in the region. The ceremony, which highlights the contributions of media professionals in northern Ghana, also saw her colleague, the station’s regional cameraman, recognized for his technical and visual contributions to storytelling.

Yussif’s award-winning entry focused on the complex and often harrowing challenges faced by individuals accused of witchcraft during their reintegration into society. Her reporting shed light on the social and systemic barriers affecting these vulnerable persons, who are predominantly women, and underscored the need for community support and policy intervention. In recognition of her impactful work, she received a citation, a plaque, and a laptop computer sponsored by the non-governmental organization ActionAid.

The event further solidified the presence of Channel One TV in the northern media landscape as its regional cameraman was named the Best Videographer. This award recognized his excellence in visual storytelling, which complemented the station's investigative and human-interest reporting. Both recipients were lauded for their dedication to bringing important local issues to the national spotlight through compelling narratives and high-quality production.

The Northern GJA Awards serve as a platform to encourage high standards of journalism across the region. By focusing on gender-sensitive reporting and visual excellence, the association aims to promote stories that drive social change and hold authorities accountable. For Yussif, the back-to-back recognition reinforces her commitment to giving a voice to the marginalized and tackling sensitive gender-related issues that remain prevalent in the northern parts of the country.