Sama Tounwendsida Hugues Richard of Burkina Faso has been named the 2019 West Africa Journalist of the Year for his impactful reporting of mental illness in Burkina Faso.
Richard was one of 21 finalists selected for outstanding reporting in the sub region. He follows former Joy News journalist from Ghana, Manasseh Azure Awuni, who clinched the award last year, and Seth Kwame Boateng, who won in 2017.
“I am honoured to have won this award,” Richard said. “So many people with mental disabilities are neglected and I knew that it was a story that needed to be told to humanise them.”
The Media Foundation of West Africa (MFWA) invited over 300 guests to participate in the 2019 West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA) under the theme “Social Media, Fake News and Elections in Africa.” The three-day event featured renowned speakers from across the sub region who provided insight on key issues surrounding media and the future of journalism on the African continent.
The annual event began on October 17 with a two-day conference that included panel-style discussions on various topics revolving around media across the continent. Editors, managers and influential media practitioners from across West Africa spoke about topics including “Protecting Election Integrity on the Internet” and “Stopping Fake News From Going Viral.” Various media stakeholders across the continent including Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, The Gambia, Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria participated in the event.
On Saturday, October 19th, an Awards Ceremony took place to celebrate and promote media excellence in West Africa. The event also hosted the Continental Journalism Award on AU Charter which honoured African journalists who are producing high quality reports on the African Charter on Democracy, Election and Governance (ACDEG).
Destiny Onyemihia from the Voice of Nigeria emerged the overall winner for the Continental Journalism Award on AU Charter. Wagdy Sawahel from University World News – Africa Edition, Egypt and Momar Niang from Ouestaf News, Senegal followed as first and second runner up winners, respectively. All events took place at the Swiss Spirit Alisa Hotel in Accra, Ghana.
The Awards Ceremony’s Guest of Honour, Pansy Tlakula, Chairperson of the Information Regulator of South Africa, delivered remarks on the power of journalists throughout the continent despite the many trials they face.
“The profession of journalism is challenged, particularly with the rise of fake news and misinformation,” she said. “This requires journalists to recommit themselves to the code of ethics.”
In addition to Richard’s win at the West Africa Media Excellence Awards, seven other journalists were awarded for impactful storytelling and in-depth coverage of pertinent subjects in Africa. The winners and categories include:
Category: Anti-Corruption
Winner: Seriba Kone
Media House: Lepointsur.com
Country: Cote D’Ivoire
Category: Health
Winner: Sama Tounwendsida Hugues Richard
Media House: L’Observeteur Paalga
Country: Burkina Faso
Source: Kobby Blay
Category: Investigative
Winner: Cletus Umoh Ukpong
Media House: Premium Times
Country: Nigeria
Source: Kobby Blay
Category: Human Rights
Winner: Tobore Ovuorie
Media House: The Nation Newspaper
Country: Nigeria
Source: Kobby Blay
Category: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Winner: Nabil Ahmed Rufai
Media House: GHOne TV
Country: Ghana
Source: Kobby Blay
Category: Telecommunications and Information Communications & Technology
Winner: Kunle Adebajo
Media House: ICIR
Country: Nigeria
Source: Kobby Blay
Business and SMEs
Winner: Tunde Ajaja
Media House: Punch Newspaper
Country: Nigeria
Source: Kobby Blay
Joy News’ Mamavi Owusu Aboagye and the MFWA’s Rachad Bani Samari served as Masters of Ceremony for the event. Facebook, The U.S. Embassy of Ghana, The Hewlett Foundation, Access Now, MTN, DW Akademie, Stanbic Bank and Alisa Hotel were the event’s supporters.