JoyNews #NoToGalamsey Campaign Wins CIMG's Top Media Award for Digital Innovation

JoyNews has been honoured with the New Media Campaign of the Year award at the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana's (CIMG) 37th Annual National Marketing Performance Awards, held at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The recognition celebrates the campaign's pioneering use of digital platforms to tackle one of Ghana's most pressing environmental crises: illegal mining and its devastating impact on water bodies and communities.

The #NoToGalamsey campaign, a flagship initiative by the Multimedia Group, leveraged social audio, podcasts and cross-platform storytelling to engage audiences nationwide on the illegal mining issue. According to CIMG's citation, the campaign's strength lay in transforming a complex environmental challenge into everyday public discourse through innovative journalism and digital conversation.

"JoyNews used digital conversation to widen the reach of its #NoToGalamsey campaign," the citation stated. "Social audio, podcasts and cross-platform storytelling gave audiences ways to engage with reporting on illegal mining and its effect on water and communities."

How the Campaign Made Environmental Issues Matter

What set the #NoToGalamsey campaign apart, judges noted, was its grounding in scientific evidence and expert perspectives. Rather than relying solely on emotional appeals, JoyNews integrated scientific information, insights from institutions and voices from affected communities. This multifaceted approach ensured the campaign reached diverse audiences through channels they already use—from traditional radio and television to podcasts and social platforms.

The partnership approach was critical to its success. By collaborating with environmental experts, research institutions and citizens, the campaign created a network of credible voices amplifying the message. This not only strengthened the campaign's authority but also encouraged civic participation, transforming passive listeners into active stakeholders in the national conversation.

CIMG commended the initiative for achieving what many advocacy campaigns struggle with: making environmental concerns relevant and urgent to everyday Ghanaians. The judges highlighted that the campaign successfully moved illegal mining from a specialist topic into mainstream discourse, where it could influence public opinion and potentially drive policy action.

Why It Matters for Ghana

Illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, remains one of Ghana's most destructive environmental challenges. It has contaminated water sources in mining communities, disrupted agricultural lands, and left lasting ecological damage across multiple regions. By winning this award, the #NoToGalamsey campaign underscores the critical role media and journalism play in holding duty-bearers accountable and mobilising public action on environmental protection.

The recognition also signals growing recognition of digital media's potential in Ghana. At a time when traditional media consumption is declining, particularly among younger audiences, the campaign's success through podcasts, social audio and online platforms demonstrates that serious journalism can thrive in new formats. For other media organisations and advocacy groups, it serves as a blueprint: combining rigorous reporting with accessible, multi-platform distribution can amplify impact.

Furthermore, the award highlights the intersection of business, environmental responsibility and social impact. CIMG's selection of #NoToGalamsey as the top new media campaign reflects a marketing industry increasingly conscious of corporate and institutional social responsibility.

Broader Impact and Next Steps

Through its integrated use of radio, television and digital channels, the Multimedia Group has sustained attention on illegal mining over months, scrutinising the response of government agencies and other duty-bearers. The campaign has advocated for stronger enforcement of environmental laws and greater support for affected communities—issues that remain central to Ghana's development agenda.

This CIMG recognition adds credibility and visibility to ongoing efforts to combat galamsey, potentially encouraging other media organisations to invest in similarly rigorous, long-form environmental journalism. It also demonstrates that award bodies and the marketing industry increasingly value campaigns that address public-interest issues over those focused purely on commercial promotion.