Three Ghanaian journalists were celebrated on World Press Freedom Day for their impactful reporting on illegal mining and its environmental toll.

The awards, jointly presented by the German Embassy and the British High Commission, highlighted journalism’s vital role in exposing the consequences of galamsey.

At the ceremony on May 3, UK High Commissioner H.E. Harriet Thompson praised the journalists and stressed the importance of safeguarding media freedom.

“To ensure this can happen, their protection from harassment and intimidation is paramount,” she noted.

German Ambassador H.E. Daniel Krull, speaking to Citi News, emphasized the international importance of sustainable mining and expressed concern over the underground trade in gold from illegal mining operations.

Award jury chair Emmanuel K. Dogbevi, Managing Editor of Ghana Business News, commended the winners for their courage but pointed to a broader issue in investigative journalism—insufficient depth.

He said while the submitted stories were brave, many “barely scratched the surface” of the complex issues involved in galamsey.

“It’s not enough to courageously gather evidence or data from the field. Journalists ought to put in the work to craft a compelling story,” he added.

The awards went to Timothy Ngnenbe of the Daily Graphic for Best News Report; Seth J. Bokpe and Edmund Agyemang Boateng of The Fourth Estate for Best Long Form Written Report; and Clara Mlano of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation for Best Long Form Broadcast.