Accra, Ghana – FrontPage Africa Senior Reporter, Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo, has been shortlisted for the 2019 edition of the West Africa Media Excellence Awards.
The award organizers, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), announced on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 that 21 journalists from six West African countries have been shortlisted for the awards.
Bettie’s entry was on Liberia’s integrity institutions budget cuts challenge despite commitment by President Weah to combat graft.
MFWA said 724 entries were received from journalists in over 15 countries.
The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on October 19 in Accra, Ghana.
Other shortlisted journalists from Nigeria are Odinaka Anudu, Business Day; Tobore Ovuorie, The Nation; Kunle Adebajo, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR); Cletus Ukpong Premium Times, Tunde Ajaja, Punch; and Aneta Felix, TV360 Nigeria.
Seriba Kone, Lepointsur.com of Cote D’Ivoire, and Mame Diomma Dramé, Ouestaf News of Senegal have also been shortlisted from the region.
From Ghana, Edward Adeti of Starr FM, Beryl Richter, Joy News, and Timothy Ngnenbe of Graphic Online are on the list.
Sama Tounwendsida Hugues Richard of L’Observeteur Paala; Sawadogo Delwendé Elza Sandrine Clothilde, of L’Economiste Du Faso; Joseph Haro, Sidwaya; and Tagnan Rodrigue Arnaud, Mutations, are the journalists shortlisted from Burkina Faso.
Others from Ghana are Seth Boateng, Joy News; Nabil Rufai, GHOne TV; Emmanuel Dogbevi, ICIJ/Cenozo; Justice Baidoo, Joy News; and Emmanuel Debrah, Joy News.
“The winners for the various categories including the West African Journalist of the Year will be announced at the Awards event on October 19, 2019,” MFWA said in a statement published on its website.
“All finalists will receive a Certificate of Merit, while the ultimate winners will receive plaques, certificates and cash prizes.
“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.”
On August 9, 2019, Bettie was one of the two Reporters of FrontPage Africa who won two awards at the Press Union of Liberia. She won Health Reporter and Women’s Rights Reporter of the year along with Christopher Walker, who won Sport’s Journalist of the year.