MTN Ghana has commended the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) for successfully organizing the second edition of the West Africa Media Excellence Awards (WAMECA) in Accra.
MTN also congratulated all journalists from Ghana and other West African countries who were shortlisted and eventually emerged winners out of over 600 entries.
In a press statement, CEO of MTN Ghana, Mr. Selorm Adadevoh admonished journalists to reach for excellence saying: “we from MTN urge the media to ensure that they strive towards mastering journalism excellence by combining speed, accuracy and engaging skills.”
He added, “this seems like a daunting task but certainly you can. MTN is pleased to be associated with the event that recognizes journalists because the two organizations have equal stake in communications.”
“You have the skills for creating content, MTN has the devices and platforms for delivering it to your audiences, but you must also apply the values of professionalism, leadership and excellence to deliver the best.
As the enabler with a total commitment to support innovation and digitalization in the media space, MTN continues to sponsor and partner likeminded organizations to ensure that everyone truly derives the benefits of today’s connected world, he added.
MTN was one of the lead sponsors of the West Africa Media Excellence Awards.
Number of entries
The MFWA received over 600 entries of outstanding stories in various categories from over 12 countries in West Africa. The entries were received from over 150 media houses across the sub-region.
Categories from the awards included, Telecoms & ICT Reporting, Health, Anti-corruption, Investigative, Oil and Gas, ECOWAS and Regional Integration reporting.
The WAMECA Awards seeks to improve media professionalism and strengthen the media as allies for development in all sectors.
This year the competition received over 600 entries from 12 countries across West Africa from both Francophone and Anglophone countries. The three-member panel of judges after a thorough review of the entries shortlisted 18 finalists for seven out of 14 categories.
Shortlisted finalists
The shortlisted finalists for WAMECA 2018 are Kingbewe Yao Hervé, Banuto (online), Benin, Justice Baidoo, Multimedia Broadcasting Limited, Ghana, Anthony Acarus Stephen, Power FM/TV), Liberia, Anthony Akaeze, TELL/ICIR, Nigeria, Manasseh Azure Awuni, Multimedia Broadcasting Limited, Ghana, Adam Alqali, African Newspage, Nigeria, Mame Diomma Dramé, Ouestafnews, Senegal.
Others were Odimegwu Onwumere, Nigeria Voice, Nigeria, Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman, GHOne TV, Ghana, Kemi Busari, PREMIUM TIMES, Nigeria, Sawadogo Afsétou, Sidwaya, Burkina Faso, and Seth Kwame Boateng, Multimedia Broadcasting Limited, Ghana.
The rest were Bayo Olupohunda, NAIJ.com, Nigeria, Nabaloum Abdel Aziz, Sidwaya, Burkina Faso, Richard Kwadwo Nyarko, Multimedia Broadcasting Limited, Ghana, Victor Ekwealor, Techpoint, Nigeria, Daryl Kwawu, Multimedia Broadcasting Limited, Ghana and Oladeinde Olawoyin of Premium Times, Nigeria.
Winners
Manasseh Azure Awuni of Multimedia Group Limited, Ghana was adjudged the West Africa Journalist of the Year, as well as the best reporter in Anti-corruption reporting for his story “Robbing the Assemblies”.
Anthony Akaeze who works with TELL/ICIR, Nigeria, was adjudged the winner for the investigative reporting category for his story “Investigation: Darkness in Lagos despite N4billion ‘Light Up Lagos’ project”.
The best journalist for Health Reporting went to Seth Kwame Boateng, Multimedia Group Limited, Ghana, for his story “Next to die”.
For his report, “Out of school children: Nigeria’s ticking time-bomb”, Adam Alqali of African Newspage, Nigeria won the SDGs Reporting award.
Nabaloum Abdel Aziz of Sidwaya in Burkina Faso took home the Human Rights reporting award for his story “Maison d’arrêt et de correction de Ouagadougou: Une journée avec des vies en sursis.”
The Telecommunications and ICTs reporting award went to Richard Kwadwo Nyarko of Multimedia Group Limited, Ghana for his report “Using Stones as Mouse in ICT Classes”.
While Victor Ekwealor of Techpoint, Nigeria was adjudged best reporter for the Business reporting category for his story “Can technology help dried fish nourish the Nigerian economy?
All 18 finalists were inducted as fellows of the MFWA’s Journalism for Change Network and were offered regular training opportunities both locally and internationally to enhance their capacity to influence positive change in society through journalism.
About MFWA
The MFWA is the biggest and most influential media development and freedom of expression advocacy organisation in West Africa. The MFWA works with national partner organisations in all 16 countries, promoting and defending the right to freedom of expression of all persons particularly the media in West Africa. The organisation operates from its headquarters in Accra, Ghana
