A Ghanaian Journalist with the Multimedia Group Limited, Manasseh Azure Awuni, has emerged winner of the 2018 edition of West African Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA).
Manasseh Awuni also won the Anti-Corruption Reporting category on his report on “Robbing the Assemblies”.
Other contestants in the competition in the Overall Best Category included Richard Kwadwo Nyarko from Multimedia Group Limited; Victor Ekwealor of Techpoint, Nigeria; Anthony Akaeze of TELL/ICIR, Nigeria; Nabaloum Abdel Aziz of Sidwaya, Burkina Faso and Adam Alqali of African Newspage, Nigeria.
Out of the 18 finalists, Adam Alqali of African Newspage, Nigeria, was adjudged the winner in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Reporting category; whiles Victor Ekwealor of Techpoint, Nigeria won the Business Reporting Category.
Seth Kwame Boateng of Multimedia Group Limited took home the award for best journalist in Health Reporting, Nabaloum Abdel Aziz of Sidwaya emerged winner for the human rights category and Richard Kwadwo Nyarko of Multimedia Group Limited grabbed the Telecoms and ICT reporting category.
In his welcome address, Executive Director of Media Foundation West Africa, (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, noted that media standards had been on a free fall, as the few courageous and outstanding journalists who were committed to high journalistic standards were usually the targets of threats and attacks.
He said the combined effects of poor standards, repression of media freedoms, weak economies and inadequate contextually-relevant media management data, had culminated in a serious challenge of sustainability for many media organisations in the sub-region.
Mr. Braimah said accordingly, the Foundation had instituted this conference to discuss the challenges, prospects and opportunities in the media industry in the region; and to also reward journalists who continue to demonstrate excellence in their works despite the numerous challenges they faced.
The Executive Director said, he was hopeful that through the annual conference and awards, they would be able to connect with key actors within the media sector, learn more about the media environment in the region and propose concrete solutions for transforming the media industry.
Mr. Braimah stated that through the awards, they also hope to continuously motivate great journalists to do more and inspire others to commit to journalism excellence.
He further commended MTN Ghana, GCB Bank Ghana, Stanbic Bank Ghana, DW Akademie, for their support towards the organisation of the #WAMECA2018.
In his remarks, Manasseh Awuni noted that practicing journalism and winning awards were motivating enough; “however, what really gives satisfaction is when you realise that the ills you uncovered is dealt with”.
He said government should take steps to ensure that culprits were dealt with, when corruption issues were exposed adding that, “if you risk your life and tell a story, get an award and nothing happens, I do not think we will ever get anywhere”.
He said if the Government of Ghana was really committed to the fight against corruption then, as a country, we should begin to act on cases which have been uncovered to serve as deterrent to others.
Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and Head of UN office for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas presented the ultimate award to Manasseh Azure Awuni.
The awardee expressed gratitude to the Ghana Integrity Initiative, and the entire Multimedia Group Limited for their support particularly during attacks by businesses that were affected by his work.
