Daily Graphic’s Ngnenbe nominated for MFWA award

A journalist with the Daily Graphic, Timothy Ngnenbe, has been shortlisted along with 20 others across West Africa for the West Africa Media Excellence Awards (WAMECA).

His story, “Dying to live: the case of scrap metal business in Accra”, made it to the final for the Health Reporting category of the prestigious sub-regional awards.

The award ceremony, which is slated for October 19, 2019, in Accra, will see seven other Ghanaian journalists, six Nigerians, four Burkinabes, and one each from Cote d’ Ivoire, Liberia and Senegal battle for the ultimate awards in the various categories.

A statement from the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), organisers of the awards, explained that a five-member jury shortlisted the 21 finalists from 724 applicants from 200 media establishments in 15 West African countries.

Nominees

The Ghanaian journalists, who made it to the final list of nominees are: Timothy Ngnenbe, Daily Graphic; Seth Kwame Boateng, Justice Baidoo, Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah, Beryl Ernestina Richter, all of Joy News; Edward Adeti, Starr FM: Nabil Ahmed Rufai, GHOne TV and Emmanuel K. Dogbevi, ICIJ/Cenozo.

The journalists who would hoist the flag of Nigeria at the awards ceremony are: Cletus Umoh Ukpong, PREMIUM TIMES; Odinaka Kennis Anudu, Business Day; Kunle Adebajo, ICIR; Tunde Ajaja, Punch; Aneta Chineye Felix, TV360 Nigeria; and Tobore Ovuorie, The Nation Newspaper.

Burkina Faso is represented by Sama Tounwendsida Hugues Richard, L’Observeteur Paala; Sawadogo Delwendé Elza Sandrine Clothilde, L’Economiste Du Faso; Tagnan Rodrigue Arnaud, Mutations and Joseph Haro, Sidwaya.

The rest are Seriba Kone, Lepointsur.com, Cote D’Ivoire; Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo, Frontpage Africa, Liberia and Mame Diomma Dramé, Ouestaf News, Senegal.

Package

The MFWA statement said the Chairperson of the Information Regulator of South Africa and Former African Commission’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information Advocate, Pansy Tlakula will grace the occasion.

“The winners for the various categories, including the West African Journalist of the Year, will be announced at the awards event on October 19, 2019. All finalists will receive a Certificate of Merit. Ultimate winners will receive plaques, certificates and cash prizes,” the statement added.

The statement further said all 21 finalists would also be inducted as fellows of the MFWA’s Journalism for Change Network and would be offered regular training opportunities, both locally and internationally, to enhance their capacity to influence positive change in the society through journalism.