Accra, Ghana, December 17, 2018//-A renowned economist and Professor at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), John Gatsi, has urged journalists in Ghana and other parts of the world to pay attention to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to him, comprehensive reporting on these goals would enable the citizens of the world to know more about them and they entail.
Prof Gatsi who is also the Chairman of Jury of the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ)-Flamingo Awards, made the call at the fifth edition of the awards held in Accra, Ghana over the weekend.
He however lamented that even though SDGs are to be integrated in sectorial activities, SDGs did not receive enough attention in the 2018 entries of the awards.
Prof John Gatsi , observed that even though the theme of the 2018 Competition focused on natural resources, the sector did not receive inclusive coverage as areas such as development minerals, water and land use were not comprehensively tackled.
What are SDGs?
The SDGs or Global Goals for Sustainable Development are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015.
The SDGs are part of Resolution 70/1 of the United Nations General Assembly: “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” That has been shortened to “2030 Agenda.”
The goals are broad and interdependent, yet each has a separate list of targets to achieve. Achieving all 169 targets would signal accomplishing all 17 goals. The SDGs cover social and economic development issues including poverty, hunger, health, education, global warming, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, urbanization, environment and social justice.
Meanwhile, Prof John Gatsi said the Jury followed transparent, firm and rigorous process in deciding on an entry that deserves an award.
He said to qualify for an award an entry should be scored 64 minimum after peer review by all members of the panel.
Prof Gatsi who is also the Head of Finance Department at the UCC Business School, encouraged journalists to consult with multiple sources and adhere to ethical rules in sectors they wish to work on.
Award winners
Richard Annerquaye Abbey from the Business and Financial Times who took the ultimate award took away a plaque, a citation, Ipad donated by the World Bank and a round trip to Washington for the Spring meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund
Mr Abbey also won the Tourism which was sponsored by MTN and Natural Resources categories also sponsored by GNPC.
Other award winners were Mr Kofi Ahowi a freelance journalists won the best in Agribusiness. He took away a plaque, citation and a Samsung Galaxy A7 phone. The award was sponsored by Ghana Stock Exchange
Mr Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh of the Africa Eye Report, won the Best in Development category and also took away a plaque, citation and a Samsung Galaxy A7 phone. His award was sponsored by Ghana Chamber of Mines.
Suleiman Mustapha, of Graphic Business also picked two separate awards in the Best in Finance category sponsored GNPC and Local Economy category sponsored by Melcom. Mr Mustapha took away a LED Flat Screen, a Plague a citation and a Samsung Galaxy A7 phone.
African Eye Report
