Accra, Ghana – Dasmani Issifu Laary, Eastern Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), has won this year’s Road Safety Reporting Award at the 29th Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Media Awards for his investigative piece, “Deadly Highways: Fixing Ghana’s Silent Epidemic.”
The award, presented on November 8 at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, recognised reporting that exposed systemic causes of road fatalities and proposed reforms to improve safety across national transport corridors.
According to the citation, “Deadly Highways” combined “meticulous research, compelling storytelling, and a commitment to truth,” and “informed the public and inspired action from policymakers and stakeholders.”
The ceremony, hosted by the Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was attended by President John Dramani Mahama as Special Guest of Honour.
It marked the first time the GJA Awards were held in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi and outside the national capital, Accra.
In his address, President Mahama reaffirmed his government’s commitment to protecting journalists, upholding press freedom, and restoring Ghana’s leadership in media freedom on the continent.
Mr Laary, who joined GNA in 2012 and currently serves as Eastern Regional Manager and senior editor, told reporters, “I have never submitted a story for an award before. I simply wanted to highlight a national crisis.” He described being selected from over 321 entries as “humbling.”
He noted that the report has since been referenced by local and international platforms, advocacy campaigns, and policy briefings calling for stronger enforcement, improved road maintenance, and data-driven interventions.
In his keynote remarks, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II spoke on the broader responsibilities of leadership and the press.
He cautioned against complacency and the corrosive effects of bad incentives, stating, “We must not go down in history as the generation that stood by.”
He urged journalists and leaders to act with courage and principle and called for a national dialogue to “save the mainstream print media,” warning that unregulated new media could undermine democratic discourse.
The Road Safety Reporting category was one of 36 awards spanning print, broadcast, and digital media, reflecting the GJA’s belief that quality journalism shapes public policy and safeguards lives.
The event drew representatives from the judiciary, government communications, UNESCO Ghana, the diplomatic corps, and hundreds of media professionals.
Mr. Laary, who is a PhD candidate in Migration Studies at the University of Ghana’s Centre for Migration Studies, is currently investigating the experiences of migrants in Ghana, with a focus on the expectations and realities of motorcycle taxi drivers in the Accra Metropolitan Area.
His academic research complements his award-winning journalism, reflecting a deep commitment to uncovering systemic challenges and amplifying the voices of vulnerable populations.
He dedicated the award to victims of road crashes and highlighted his ongoing initiative, the Safe Roads Ghana Legacy, which he described as a multi-pronged effort “to transform road safety culture through media, policy, and community engagement.”
Mr Laary’s editorial leadership is grounded in a rich portfolio of professional development across journalism, public policy, health, and strategic communication.
His recent participation in the Road Safety Reporting Media Workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya (July 2024), organised by Science Africa and the World Health Organisation, equipped him with global best practices in mobility reporting and media engagement for public safety.
This milestone builds on over a decade of capacity-building engagements and professional accolades that have shaped Mr Laary’s expertise across media, policy, and strategic communication.
In 2017, while serving as the Upper West Regional Manager of the Ghana News Agency in Wa, Mr Laary was adjudged Best Energy Reporter at the maiden edition of the Ghana Energy Awards held in Accra.
That same year, he participated in a Seminar on Practical Chinese for Government Officials from Developing Countries, hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (June–July 2017).
The programme enhanced his cross-cultural communication skills and deepened his understanding of China-Africa cooperation, diplomacy, and development policy.
The honour recognised his outstanding coverage of energy policy, infrastructure, and public accountability, reinforcing his reputation as a journalist who bridges technical reporting with national relevance.
He later joined the Media Workshop for Regional Managers and Editors organised by Nuclear Power Ghana (August 2022), enhancing editorial coordination and public education on energy and safety.
He also received training in Digital Terrestrial Television Media Resource Development by the Ministry of Communications and the National Communications Authority (February 2016), supporting Ghana’s digital migration strategy.
Earlier, he joined the Media Training Workshop on Nuclear Energy (August 2021), advancing responsible reportage on energy infrastructure.
In the area of research, governance, and public policy, Mr Laary completed Journalistic Research Training with DW Akademie (October 2014), deepening his investigative and analytical reporting skills.
He also participated in the Leadership and Liberty Programme organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (November 2004), which focused on democratic governance and the media’s role in policy reform.
More recently, he undertook PhD Academic Training on Migration through the Centre for Migration Studies, Uppsala University, and the WHO Collaborating Centre on Migration and Health (June 2024), enhancing his research capacity on African migration dynamics and governance.
In financial literacy and economic advocacy, Mr Laary joined the Media Capacity Building Programme by the Bank of Ghana (June 2025), empowering journalists to report on financial systems, monetary policy, and economic inclusion.
His commitment to health journalism and community advocacy is reflected in his participation in the Basic Oncology Workshop for Media organised by Breast Care International, Peace and Love Hospital, and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA (May 2025), promoting cancer awareness and health education through media.
In gender and human rights reporting, he was trained on Effective Reportage of Women’s Rights Issues by the Gender Studies & Human Rights Documentation Centre (July 2013), reinforcing gender-sensitive journalism and advocacy.
These certifications and recognitions reflect Mr Laary’s multidimensional expertise and his unwavering commitment to using media as a tool for national transformation. His road safety stories, often spotlighting enforcement gaps, infrastructure risks, and community vulnerabilities, have catalysed dialogue among policymakers, civil society, and transport unions.
“Road safety is a moral and national imperative. Every life saved is a legacy preserved,” Mr Laary stated after receiving the award.
As Ghana intensifies efforts to reduce traffic fatalities and modernise its transport systems, Mr Laary’s recognition reaffirms the power of journalism to shape public behaviour and institutional accountability.
His work aligns with the Safe Roads Ghana Legacy Initiative (SRGLI), which he champions to transform road safety culture through media, policy, and spiritual advocacy.
He pledged to continue investigative work and advocacy, emphasising that impactful reporting must be matched by sustained policy follow-through to reduce road deaths.
The GJA Awards aim to celebrate journalistic excellence and catalyse public debate, encouraging winners and the wider media to uphold rigorous standards and pursue reporting that drives meaningful change.
