Winners of the Africa Science Desk Journalism prize are announced

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

The African Academy of Sciences is excited to be announcing the three African journalists — from Zimbabwe, Nigeria and South Africa —who are the winners of the 2019 Africa Science Desk Journalism Awards.

The Africa Science Desk Journalism Awards was given by the African Academy of Sciences with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to recognise and honour excellent reporting on science and scientific innovation in Africa.

The three, selected from approximately 80 applications from across the continent, will each receive a prize of $3,000 for their excellent reporting on science and scientific innovation in Africa. The winners are:

Best Feature

Munyaradzi Makoni on his piece on: Solar tracking bracelets protect nomadic Kenyan mothers and babies.

For a superior narrative quality, multi-tiered focus on human migration, innovation and reproductive health, and its ability to demonstrate positive impact.

Chikezie Omeje on his piece on: Boko Haram’s violence inflicts emotional injury on children, and it is life-long

Gripping reporting of a tragedy that more people should read about.

Science and Innovation Editor

Gayle Edmunds who facilitated a series on climate change impact on agriculture and food security

For an innovative and educational series on the impact on climate change on agriculture and food security that was future oriented and thought provoking about ways to deal with climate change and conversational tone to the writing that made it very accessible.

Juliette Mutheu-Asego, the AAS Head of Communications and PR, congratulated the winners saying: “In Africa, science stories are overtaken by politics, sports and business news yet it is important in promoting development. As such, we are keen to showcase excellence in science reporting to demonstrate that storytelling is a powerful tool for showing the impact of and placing research and innovation on the media agenda.”Read more ...