Two award-winning Ghanaian journalists have embarked on a one-week professional and cultural exchange visit to the Republic of Türkiye as part of an all-expense-paid package awarded at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards.
The beneficiaries are the Female Journalist of the Year, Doreen Ampofo of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and the Student Journalist of the Year, Clinton Yeboah of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), who also works with the Multimedia Group stations in Kumasi.
The GJA said the visit was made possible through sponsorship support from the Turkish Embassy in Ghana and Turkish Airlines, aimed at providing professional exposure and strengthening media relations between Ghana and Türkiye.
In a statement, the Association clarified that the overall Journalist of the Year, Godwin Asediba, could not participate in the trip because he is currently residing outside Ghana.
The GJA explained that the travel arrangement was specifically based on the Accra–Istanbul–Accra route and required participants to complete visa processes and begin the journey from Accra.
The Association expressed appreciation to Mr. Asediba for his understanding and commended the Turkish Embassy and Turkish Airlines for their commitment to fulfilling the sponsorship agreement.
The GJA also praised the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Hüseyin Güngör, for his personal commitment and support in ensuring the successful execution of the initiative.
According to the Association, the partnership demonstrates the importance of collaboration between diplomatic missions and professional institutions in creating opportunities for capacity building and international exposure for Ghanaian journalists.
The 29th GJA Media Awards, which preceded the visit, was a historic event as it was hosted for the first time at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi under the hospitality of His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene.
President John Dramani Mahama attended the ceremony as Special Guest of Honour.
Doreen Ampofo emerged as one of the night’s top performers, winning two additional award categories alongside the Female Journalist of the Year award, bringing her total honours to three.
During their stay in Türkiye, the journalists are expected to visit leading media organisations, the country’s media regulatory institutions, tourism sites, trading centres and other places of strategic importance.
They will also pay a courtesy call on Ghana’s Ambassador to Türkiye, His Excellency Sheikh Abdul Nasiru-Deen, who is scheduled to host them to a dinner in Istanbul.
The GJA said the programme forms part of its broader efforts to promote professional exchange, encourage global learning opportunities and strengthen cooperation between Ghanaian and Turkish media communities.
The Association, under the leadership of President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, reaffirmed its commitment to building partnerships that enable journalists to acquire new skills, share best practices and contribute meaningfully to national development through ethical journalism.
