The Media Foundation for West Africa’s prestigious West Africa Media Excellence Awards (WAMECA 2025) ceremony was held on Saturday, October 11, at the Alisa hotel in Accra, Ghana, to celebrate journalists outstanding performance.
The West Africa Media Excellence Conference and Awards (WAMECA) is an initiative by the Media Foundation for West Africa to promote media excellence in the sub-region. It recognizes the outstanding works of journalists in their reportage. The awards are to inspire excellence in journalism and honour journalists who have produced captivating works which have had great impact on society.
The finalists were chosen by a four-member jury consisting of distinguished and experienced media professionals from across Africa. The selection followed a thorough review and evaluation of the stories submitted by journalists. This year, the awards scheme received 793 entries from 15 West African countries, submitted by journalists representing about 600 media organizations across the region. A total of 26 journalists made it to the final list to receive certificates of merit. However, out of the 26, 9 stood out as winners of the various categories of awards receiving plaques, certificates and cash prizes with Kunle Adebajo of Nigeria winning the ultimate West Africa Journalist of the year award.
Ghana’s Minister for Communications Hon. Sam George (left) presenting award to Mr. Kunle Adebajo (right) of Nigeria who won the ultimate West Africa Journalist of the year award.
Clinton Yeboah of luv fm is the only Ghanaian journalist among the 26 finalist
Mr. Clinton Yeboah, Luv FM (Multemedia) Journalist.
The Grand jury expressed concern and disappointment as only one Ghanaian journalist in the person of Clinton Yeboah of Luv FM/ Multimedia made it to the final list. Joseph Warungu, Grand Jury Member in his speech stated
“ I was looking forward to a deluge of stories from Ghana, the powerhouse of storytelling and then it’s only one story limping along that came in into the finals.”
Furthermore, Catherine Gicheru, also a member of the Grand Jury expressed their dissatisfaction about the entries for the Anti-corruption category since they did not meet the standard requirements and had to defer giving award for this year.
” I with the other judges discussed and we think it will be failing our fellow journalists if we decide to award this category if the stories do not meet the kind of standard we know we are able to reach. Instead of congratulating ourselves on false terms we thought the best thing to do is defer giving this award. ” She remarked.
He, alongside other members of the Grand Jury said they are looking forward to seeing Ghanaian journalists make a come back as they used to produce good stories making the scheme more competitive.
Additionally, the jury encouraged journalists to prioritize bold journalism, professionalism, creativity and originality in order to stand out. They also advocated for inclusivity and balance in gender, urging female journalists to actively participate in the coming years.
