MEDIA GENERAL’S KOMLA ADOM AND GODWIN ASEDIBA AMONG UNITED NATIONS TOP 11 JOURNALISTS’ SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO CRITICAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE GLOBAL CRISES OF INEQUALITY.

Media General Broadcast journalists, Komla Adom and Godwin Asediba have been celebrated by the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) for their outstanding contributions in telling stories which depict crucial inequalities plaguing today’s developing world and, in the process, offering creative and impactful solutions to these challenges.

Noted among the top 11 journalists from across the globe, they submitted stories as part of the UNRISD #CrisesofInequality Media Contest. With 150 submissions from 39 countries across five continents, this contest drew the attention of talented journalists worldwide to showcase the key themes of UNRISD’s 2022 Flagship Report: Crises of Inequality: Shifting Power for a New Eco-Social Contract, launched on October 21 2022. UNRISD received an exceptional range of submissions from journalists around the world, particularly from those in the global South.

Komla Adom who submitted a story highlighting inequality in basic education at a school in the east Gonja municipality of the Savannah region dubbed “Awunakofe Education Crisis”, came in at 5^th position overall. The school in focus was located in an island community where school structure and furniture had been washed away by flood waters from the white Volta. As a result, basic education had completely halted and the only teacher who taught all classes had diversified into doing business since the school was lost to the elements. Meanwhile, the deprivation had caused the students to be far behind their mates, with no hope in sight. Komla admits; “… I love these human-interest stories because those are the stories that the people love, those are the stories about the people, for the people, they can relate to them, and they are everyday stories, so everyone can relate to them… even though the bigger political conversations drive traffic, there are also these other stories that highlight the realities of the people which need attention …these stories tend to catch the attention of duty bearers and benevolent individual, etc. to wake up and do something… these are the bread and butter issues…these stories give me a lot of satisfaction”.According to Komla Adom, some of his stories in healthcare and education have attracted support from the government and philanthropists and recorded tangible results. This recognition, he says represents a proud moment. He believes journalism is his calling and is excited to use it as a tool to transform lives and effect change in society.

Godwin Asediba’s submission; “The Crippling Medical Cost” was conceived at the time of the worsening economic crisis in Ghana when average Ghanaians were struggling to cover medical costs. Godwin told the story of one Ishmael who, as a result of an accident, lost his leg and later developed cancer due to an infection on the amputated leg. The unfortunate incident happened because, following Ishmael’s accident, he was unable to afford the cost of medical care for his initial injuries and later on the chemotherapy needed for treating the cancer. The story also narrated the ordeal of a woman who lost all her business capital to medical bills and did not have enough to pay for remaining hospital costs, because her husband fell sick and underwent a surgical procedure. 6^th position overall. According to Godwin; “… for me, it is always about the impact. I believe journalism is all about telling stories to get results. That is why sometimes I get dramatic about my pieces because it gets the attention of the people who can respond and effect change …going a little extra is important to me because, within a week or two, I am able to get results for the people whose stories I tell. I see myself doing more human-interest stories in the future because I have a knack for telling these stories. I am comfortable with the genre”.Gideon who placed 6^th position overall, is elated about this recognition which he describes as satisfying. He looks forward to bringing more human-interest stories to light in a bid to induce positive change and support for challenged persons.

After a rigorous selection process by a high-level international jury, UNRISD congratulates Komla Adom and Godwin Asediba and the other winners, who used their journalistic talent to shed light on the mutually reinforcing relationship between crises and inequality and the urgency of building a new eco-social contract based on visions of justice, equality and sustainability.

Media General is proud of the two gentlemen for achieving this feat. The group extends profound congratulations to Koma Adom and Godwin Asediba for placing among the top 11 and overall for playing a crucial role in building a more just and sustainable world. It is the hope that they and other hardworking journalists within the Group achieve similar and higher recognition in the future.