Winners have emerged at the 2019 West Africa Media Excellence Awards (WAMECA) held on the 19th of October 2019 in Accra, Ghana.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), had announced a shortlist of 21 finalists from six African countries.
All 21 WAMECA finalists got Certificates of Merit while ultimate winners received plaques, certificates and cash prizes.
According to the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA):
“All 21 finalists will also be inducted as fellows of the MFWA’s Journalism for Change Network and will be offered regular training opportunities both locally and internationally to enhance their capacity to influence positive change in society through journalism.”
Cletus Umoh Ukpong of Premium Times, emerged the best investigative reporter in West Africa. The winning entry of Mr. Cletus Ukpong was a six-part report that examined how corruption, poor budget planning and implementation, and outright neglect led to the near collapse of public education in Akwa Ibom state. Mr. Ukpong said he hopes to see the Nigerian government provide quality education and equal opportunity for every child. He also called on all West African leaders to respect press freedom.
In the words of Mr. Cletus Ukpong:
“To this end, I am using this opportunity to call on the Nigerian government to free Agba Jalingo and other journalists who are being incarcerated in different parts of the country. Journalism is not, and will never be a crime.”
Tobore Ovuorie, was named winner of the human rights reporting category of the award. The winning entry is a five-part multimedia investigative report published August 2018 by The Nation Newspaper. Titled, “How Nigeria ‘Kills’ Children Living With HIV,” the series revealed how such kids are denied their fundamental human rights to education and even association by schools, parents, fellow children and the society in general.
Ovuorie commenced the investigation January 2018 and spent eight months on the field for the series.
Kunle Adebajo of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) won the telecommunications category; Tunde Ajaja of Punch Newspaper, winner of the best Business and SMEs reporting.
Destiny Onyemihia won the Continental Journalism Award on AU Charter, with ACDEG’s Wagdy Sawahel finishing first runner up.
Ghana’s Nabil Ahmed Rufai of GHOneTV was awarded the best SDG reporter; Seriba Kone of Lepointsur also finished best on anti-corruption coverage; Sama Tounwendsida Hugues Richard of L’Observeteur Paalga was best in health reporting.
The West Africa Media Excellence Awards (WAMECA), organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) honours excellence in print, online and broadcast journalism in West Africa.
