Ohemeng Tawiah Secures Best Illegal Mining Reporting Award at 29th GJA Awards: A Triumph for Galamsey Journalism

In the world of Ghanaian journalism, few accolades carry the weight of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards. At the prestigious 29th GJA Media Awards, Luv FM’s Ohemeng Tawiah emerged victorious in the Best Illegal Mining Reporting category. This honor recognizes his compelling exposé on galamsey—Ghana’s pervasive illegal mining crisis—and its devastating effects on forest reserves. This achievement not only highlights Tawiah’s journalistic prowess but also underscores the critical role of media in combating environmental degradation through fearless reporting.

Introduction

The 29th GJA Awards celebrated excellence in Ghanaian media on November 8, 2025, drawing dignitaries like President John Mahama and the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Amidst this gathering of media leaders, government officials, and stakeholders, Ohemeng Tawiah, a veteran reporter with Luv FM under The Multimedia Group Limited, received the Best Illegal Mining Reporting Award. His winning entry, “Last Hour Illegal Mining Attacks on Forest Reserves Ahead of Elections,” aired on JoyNews, exposed the brazen incursions of galamsey operators into protected forest areas. This story illuminated the environmental havoc wrought by illegal mining in Ghana, linking it to broader political dynamics during election periods. For those searching for insights into illegal mining reporting Ghana or the impact of galamsey journalism, Tawiah’s win exemplifies how investigative work drives public awareness and policy discourse.

What Makes the 29th GJA Awards Significant?

The GJA Awards, established to honor journalistic integrity, have long championed stories on national challenges like corruption, education, and governance. The illegal mining category specifically rewards coverage of galamsey, a term derived from “gather them and sell,” referring to unregulated small-scale gold mining that pollutes rivers, deforests lands, and threatens biodiversity.

Analysis

Ohemeng Tawiah’s award-winning report delves deeply into the mechanics of galamsey operations within Ghana’s forest reserves. These protected zones, vital for carbon sequestration and water preservation, face relentless assaults from illegal miners using excavators and chemicals like mercury. Tawiah’s narrative combines rigorous fieldwork with data-driven evidence, revealing how such activities spike ahead of elections, potentially fueled by political patronage.

From an analytical standpoint, the story’s strength lies in its multi-layered approach: it documents physical destruction—cleared vegetation and contaminated water bodies—while connecting these to socioeconomic ripple effects on local communities. The GJA panel praised Tawiah’s professionalism, noting his balanced portrayal that avoids sensationalism yet amplifies urgency. In the context of galamsey environmental impact, Tawiah’s work educates audiences on how illegal mining exacerbates Ghana’s deforestation rate, which exceeds 2% annually according to World Bank reports, and pollutes over 60% of water bodies in mining regions per Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data.

Journalistic Techniques Employed

Tawiah utilized on-the-ground investigations in high-risk areas, interviews with affected residents, and visual evidence to craft a narrative that resonates. His visual storytelling, honed over years at The Multimedia Group, transforms complex issues like mercury pollution—linked to health crises in communities—into accessible content.

Summary

In summary, Ohemeng Tawiah’s triumph at the 29th GJA Awards for Best Illegal Mining Reporting underscores his dedication to uncovering galamsey’s toll on Ghana’s ecosystems. The JoyNews feature highlighted invasions of forest reserves, environmental ruin, and electoral ties, earning acclaim for its depth and courage. This milestone reaffirms Luv FM’s role in public interest journalism and the GJA’s push for accountability on issues like illegal mining in Ghana.

Key Points

Practical Advice

Aspiring journalists tackling illegal mining Ghana stories can learn from Tawiah’s blueprint. Start with thorough research using EPA reports and Forestry Commission data to verify claims. Build networks with local communities for firsthand accounts, and prioritize safety by partnering with authorities for access to hazardous sites.

Safety Protocols for Galamsey Reporting

Equip with protective gear against chemical exposure, inform editors of locations, and use drones for overhead footage to minimize risks. Edit stories for clarity: use infographics to show deforestation stats (e.g., 2.5 million hectares lost since 2001) and timelines linking galamsey surges to election cycles.

Engaging Audiences Effectively

Craft headlines like “Galamsey’s Hidden Election Threat” for SEO and shareability. Incorporate community voices to humanize data, fostering calls for action like stricter enforcement under the Minerals and Mining Act.

Points of Caution

Reporting on galamsey demands vigilance. Illegal miners often operate with armed protection, posing physical dangers to reporters, as documented in multiple Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) alerts on Ghana. Ethical pitfalls include verifying sources to prevent misinformation, especially amid political sensitivities.

Health and Ethical Risks

Avoid direct contact with mercury-laden sites to prevent poisoning. Balance coverage by including perspectives from small-scale miners who claim livelihood dependence, ensuring stories promote solutions over blame.

Comparison

Compared to prior GJA winners, Tawiah’s entry stands out for its timely electoral angle. For instance, the 28th Awards’ environmental category honoree focused on river pollution, but Tawiah integrates forests and politics, broadening impact. Versus international peers like Pulitzer winners on mining in the Amazon, his work mirrors their blend of local insight and global relevance, though scaled to Ghana’s context where galamsey contributes 30-40% of gold output informally.

Galamsey vs. Legal Mining

Legal large-scale mining adheres to EPA standards, reclaiming lands post-operation, unlike galamsey’s zero reclamation. Tawiah’s report contrasts this, advocating regulated small-scale alternatives under Ghana’s community mining scheme.

Legal Implications

Galamsey violates Ghana’s Minerals and Mining (Local Content and Participation) Regulations, 2020, and Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994. Offenders face fines up to GH¢ 1 million or imprisonment, yet enforcement lags due to corruption probes by the Office of the Special Prosecutor. Tawiah’s reporting bolsters legal advocacy, as exposés have spurred operations like the 2024 “Operation Halt,” halting galamsey in 64 districts. Journalists must navigate defamation laws under the Criminal Offences Act, ensuring fact-based claims to avoid libel suits.

Conclusion

Ohemeng Tawiah’s Best Illegal Mining Reporting Award at the 29th GJA Awards cements his legacy in environmental journalism Ghana. By spotlighting galamsey’s forest invasions, he not only informs but ignites action for sustainable development. This win inspires the media fraternity to persist in holding power accountable, proving journalism’s enduring power in shaping Ghana’s future amid the illegal mining crisis.

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