Graphic Online journalist nominated for Merck Foundation award

Graphic Online's journalist Zadok Kwame Gyesi has been shortlisted for the 2020 edition of "Merck Foundation More than a Mother" media awards.

The "Merck Foundation More than a Mother" media awards scheme is opened to all journalists from print, online, radio and multimedia platforms from English, French, Arabic, and Portuguese speaking African countries.

It was initiated with the aim to recognize and appreciate African Journalists who have produced accurate, informative and compelling stories about infertility, infertile women or couples with that aim to raise awareness about infertility prevention and male infertility.

The winners in the various categories were announced in a release on January 7, 2021.

In the Ghana contest, Jonathan Donkor of Ghanaian Times newspaper came first in the Print Category while Zadok Kwame Gyesi of Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) came second, with the third place position going to Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, also of Ghanaian Times.

Dzifa Tetteh Taya of New Times Corporation took the Online Category while Esi Benewaa Otoo of TV3 Network came first in the Multimedia Category. Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s Akua Oforiwa Darko came second in the Multimedia Category.

The Radio Category went to Doreen Ampofo of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

In a release announcing the winners, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Merck Foundation, Dr Rasha Kelej, congratulated all the winners both in Ghana and other African countries for their critical contribution towards educating the public on infertility issues.

“I strongly believe in the critical role that media and art play to create a culture shift and raise awareness about health, cultural and sensitive issues such as infertility stigma,” she said.

She said the awards scheme was introduced in the continent in partnership with African First Ladies of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Niger, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Liberia, Guinea Conakry, Ghana, The Gambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Chad, Central African Republic, Burundi and Botswana, who are also the Ambassadors of ‘Merck Foundation More Than a Mother’.