Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the The philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany has announced the winners of the 2023 Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition ‘More Than a Mother’ Awards and the 2023 ‘Diabetes and Hypertension’ Awards from Kenya. Winners from the rest of Africa were also announced, in collaboration with African First Ladies, Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother. The award ceremony was held via video conference to thank all the media award winners.
The winners were announced and recognized by the Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation and Chair of the “More Than a Mother” campaign. The theme of the ‘More Than a Mother’ awards was to raise awareness of any of the following social issues including: Breaking the stigma of infertility, supporting girls’ education, empowering women, ending child marriage, ending FGM and/or of GBV at all levels. and the theme of the ‘Diabetes and Hypertension’ awards was Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle and raising awareness about the prevention and early detection of diabetes and hypertension in African countries.
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed: “I am very excited to announce the winners from Kenya and the rest of Africa. We have 83 winners from 22 African countries in collaboration with my dear sisters First Ladies of Africa and Merck Foundation More than a Mother Ambassadors. Congratulations to all our winners.
We started the Media Awards in 2017 and year after year we see a significant increase in the number of outstanding and regular entries from many African countries, which is very encouraging for us.
All of our winners are Champions of critical and sensitive social and health issues in their communities.
It is truly inspiring to watch how we actively engage and involve everyone, empowering them to be the voice of the voiceless and create a culture change.
I am pleased to extend a warm welcome as you join the Merck Foundation Alumni. Let’s continue to raise social and health awareness together.”
The Merck Foundation additionally rewards the winners with one year of access to an online training program called “MasterClass”. The MasterClass is an exciting online experience and self-paced learning course that you can access anywhere with the Internet.
I would also like to announce the call for applications for the Merck Foundation Africa 2024 “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes and Hypertension” Media Recognition Awards. These awards are in collaboration with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who are also the Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Ambassadors.
Dr. Rasha Kelej, Senator
Kenyan Winners of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2023:
Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2023
- Elizabeth Angira, MT Kenya Times and People Daily, First Place, Print Category
- Moraa Obiria, Nation Media Group, First Place, Online Category
- Isabella Maua Chemosit, The Times, Second Position, Online Category
- Sophia Rukwaro, Black Hustlers TV, Third Place, Online Category
- Caren Waraba Sisya, Citizen Radio, First Place, Radio Category
- Angela Kezengwa, Citizen Radio, Third Place, Radio Category
- Elizabeth Atieno Ochieng, TV 47 KENYA, Second Place, Multimedia Category
Merck Foundation “Diabetes & Hypertension” Media Recognition Awards 2023
- Dorcas Wangira, BBC, Second Place, Online Category
- Mildrine Nafula Sabwami, North Rift Radio FM, First Place, Radio Category
Winners of the Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2023
Here are the winners from the West African countries in collaboration with the First Lady of The Gambia, HE FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW. and the First Lady of Ghana and HE REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Raissa Sambou, The Spectator, Ghana (First Place)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee, Myjoyonline, Ghana (First Place)
- Mariam Hamzat, Freelancer, Nigeria (Second Place)
- Mariama, Dem Star.gm, The Gambia (Second Place)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNER
- Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh, New Narratives, Liberia (First Place)
- Mavis Offei Acheampong, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Ghana (Second Place)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS
- Emmanuel Samani, TV3, Ghana (First Place)
- Stanley Nii Blewu, TV3, Ghana (Second Place)
Here are the winners from Southern African countries in partnership with the First Lady of Malawi, HE MONICA CHAKWERA. The First Lady of Zambia, HE MUTINTA HICHILEMA. The First Lady of Zimbabwe, HE Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:
PRINTS CATEGORY WINNERS
- Melody Mupeta, Zambia Daily, Zambia (First Place)
- Moses Mugugunyeki, The Standard, Zimbabwe, (Second place)
- Gresham Ngwira, Freelancer, Malawi (Second Place)
- Sonja Smith, The Namibian, Namibia (Third place)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Michael Magoronga, Zimpapers, Zimbabwe (First place)
- Munyaradzi Blessing Doma, ZimNow, Zimbabwe (Second Place)
- Caroline Mapando, Africabrief, Malawi (Third place)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Charlotte Nambadja, Desert Radio, Namibia (First Place)
- Britta Mpata Blantyre, Synod Radio, Malawi (First Place)
- Sera Tamina, Radio Icengelo, Zambia (Second Place)
- Monde Chaba, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, Zambia (Third Place)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS
- Mirriam Kayemba, CAMNET TV, Zambia (First Place)
- Alepher Kasongo, MBC News, Malawi (Second place)
Here are the winners from East African countries:
PRINTS CATEGORY WINNERS
- Marco Maduhu, Nipashe Newspaper, Tanzania (First Place)
- Shaban Njia, Nipashe Newspaper, Tanzania (Second Place)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Aveline Kitomary, Tanzania Standard, Tanzania (Third Place)
- Hudson Kuteesa, The New Times, Rwanda (Third Place)
- Beatrice Philemon Mukocho, The Guardian newspaper, Tanzania (Third place)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Olga Fadhil Lungala, Moshifm Radio, Tanzania (Second Place)
- Adam Hhando, CG FM, Tanzania (Second place)
- Namale Hajara Shahista, CBS FM, Uganda (Third Place)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER
- Walter Mwesigye, NTV Uganda, Uganda (First place)
Here are the winners from Francophone African Countries in partnership with the First Lady of Burundi, HE ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Koami Agbetiafa, Societe, Niger (First Place)
- Astère NDUWAMUNGU, www.LeRenouveau.biBurundi (Second place)
- Traore Brehima, The TOGUNA, Mali (Third place)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Mêmèdé Ambroisine Azododassi, Savoir News, Togo (First place)
- Jessy NZENGU, LualabamaProvince.com, DRC (First Place)
- AYIBE Ablavi Ayélo, SAVOIR NEWS, Togo (Second Place)
- Haburanimana Gérard, Agaseke.bi, Burundi (Third place)
- JEANINE NYABENDA, Ijisho News TV Website, Burundi (Third Place)
- Tognisse Pugilbert Yannick, DecryptageBenin.com, Benin (Third Place)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Cyriaque NDAYISHIMIYE, Radio TV BUNTU, Burundi (First place)
- Edmond Niyonkur, Radio Ubuzima-FM, Burundi (Second Place)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS
- Bahwa Ferdinand, Le Journal.Africa, Burundi (First place)
- Amadou BELLO, Balafon Direct, Cameroon (Second place)
Here are the winners from the Portuguese-speaking African Countries in collaboration with the First Lady of Cape Verde, Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO:
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Ângelo Amaro Semedo, DW África, Cabo Verde (First Place)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Maria José Teixeira Veiga Macedo, Rádio de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde (First Place)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS
- Edineia Barros, TV Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde (First Place)
Winners of the Merck Foundation “Diabetes & Hypertension” Media Recognition Awards 2023
Here are the winners from the West African countries in partnership with the First Lady of Ghana, HE REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Jennifer Ambolley, Chronicle, Ghana (First Place)
- Godwin Awuni Anafo, Daily Graphic, Ghana (Second Place)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Odimegwu Onwumere, TheNigerianVoice.com, Nigeria (First Place)
- Muniratu Akweley Issah, Ghana News Agency, Ghana (Second Place)
- Cecilia Lagba Yada, Ghanaian Times, Ghana (Third Place)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER
- Grace Hammoah Agyemang, TV3, Ghana (First Place)
Here are the winners from Southern African countries in partnership with the First Lady of Malawi, HE MONICA CHAKWERA. The First Lady of Zambia, HE MUTINTA HICHILEMA. The First Lady of Zimbabwe, HE Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Ed-Grant Ndoza, Malawi News Agency, Malawi (First place)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Maria Kandjungu, Unwrap, Namibia (First Place)
- Alain Kabinda, Daily News Agency, Zambia (Second Place)
- Rosalia Hipondoka, DBS Blogposts, Namibia (Third Place)
- Phillipa Mwazvita Chinhoi, Herald.co, Zimbabwe (Third Place)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Henry Haukeya, MBC Radio, Malawi (First Place)
- Sylviah Chisi, Trans World Radio Malawi (TWR), Malawi (Second Place)
- Martha Mzumara, Trans World Radio Malawi (TWR), Malawi (Third Place)
Here are the winners from East African countries:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Christina Stephen Mwakangale, Nipashe, Tanzania (First Place)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Lucy John Bosco, Mwananchi Online, Tanzania (First place)
- Veronica Romwald Mrema, Freelancer, Tanzania (Third Place)
- Tulinagwe Alison Malopa, Gazetini, Tanzania (Third Place)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Mwanaisha Mohamed Makumbuli, Highlands FM Radio, Tanzania (Second Place)
Here are the winners from Francophone African Countries in partnership with the First Lady of Burundi, HE ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE:
PRINTS CATEGORY WINNERS
- Moïse NKURUNZIZA, Le Renouveau du Burundi, Burundi (First place)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Diplomacy & Development, DRC (First Place)
- Akossiwa Agossivi YIBOKOU-MENSAH, SAVOIR NEWS, TOGO (Second Place)
- Alphonse Julio GADA, GLOBAL NEWS BÉNIN, Benin (Third place)
- Petga Tonga Valgadine, LaVoixDuKoat.com, Cameroon, (Third place)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Honorine NININAHAZWE, Burundi National Radio, Burundi (First place)
- Maurice TUNINAHAZIMANA, Radio TV Buntu, Burundi (Second place)
- Rémy RUKUNDO, TV BUNTU, Burundi (Third place)
Here is the winner from the Portuguese African Country in collaboration with the First Lady of Mozambique, HE ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI:
RADIO CATEGORY WINNER
- Abdul Ibraimo, Radio Mozambique, Mozambique (First Place)
Merck Foundation Media Awards 2024 Details:
1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Awards “More Than a Mother” 2024
Theme for the awards: Fighting infertility stigma, supporting girls’ education, empowering women, ending child marriage, ending FGM and/or stopping GBV at all levels.
Who can apply: Journalists from print, radio, online and multimedia platforms from the following groups:
- Southern African countries
- West African countries
- East African countries
- Francophone African countries
- Portuguese-speaking African countries
Submission deadline: September 30, 2024.
2. Merck Foundation Recognition Media “Diabetes & Hypertension” Awards 2024
Theme for the awards: Promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness about the prevention and early diagnosis of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Who can apply: Journalists from print, radio, online and multimedia platforms from the following groups:
- Southern African countries
- West African countries
- East African countries
- Francophone African countries
- Portuguese-speaking African countries
- Latin American countries
- Asian countries
Submission deadline: October 30, 2024.
All entries must be submitted to [email protected].
