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Entries open for 3rd OFAB Media Awards

By Iddi Yire, GNA 

Accra, Aug. 17, GNA – The Open Forum on
Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), Ghana is inviting entries for its 2019
edition of OFAB Media Awards (OMA) for eligible reporters to submit their
stories for consideration.

The third edition of OMA slated for
September 2019, aims at recognising exemplary journalism that stimulates best
practices in the adoption of agricultural technologies; particularly
agricultural biotechnology.

OFAB Ghana said stories submitted by
interested applicants should have been published or aired between July 30,
2018, to June 26, 2019; whereas the deadline for submitting entries to
[email protected] is August 25, 2019.

The awards, this year, is in three
categories for the Agricultural/ Biotechnology journalist of the year, covering
Print and Online, Radio and Television.

OFAB secretariat has said key considerations
for choosing OMAs winners would be; scientific accuracy in reporting biotech
related stories, initiative, originality, clarity of interpretation and value
in fostering a better public understanding of Agricultural Biotechnology and
its impact.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Enoch Ilori, the
Project Officer at OFAB Ghana, said journalists submitting their stories should
include a brief synopsis (about 150 words) of the stories submitted (maximum of
three stories for each category); and about 150- word professional biography.

He said they should also include a brief
200-word piece explaining the motivation for each story submitted, a digital
passport size photo, a copy of national ID/passport; and evidence of Media
Accreditation/Membership of a National Media Association.

He said amazing prices were up for grabs with
the opportunity to represent Ghana at OMA Africa for more mouthwatering prizes.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency
(GNA), Mr Ilori who encouraged journalists to do more agricultural reporting,
noted that in the previous year OFAB did not receive lots of entries from media
practitioners, as anticipated.

He said if agriculture is the backbone of
the country, then all stakeholders including the media must come on board to
support the development of agriculture, saying, OFAB encourages journalists to
tell stories on agricultural policies and issues they have identified in their various
communities.

OFAB, an initiative of African Agricultural
Technology Foundation (AATF), is a platform that provides an opportunity to
enhance knowledge-sharing and awareness on agricultural biotechnology.

This knowledge-sharing and awareness on agricultural
technology raises understanding and appreciation of the technology and
contribute to building an enabling environment for informed and timely decision
making.

It would be recalled that two journalists
from the GNA won awards at the OFAB Ghana National Media Awards 2018.

Mr Prosper Kwame Kuorsoh, a Chief Reporter
with the GNA was adjudged Winner for the Online and Print Category and was
rewarded with an iPad, a plaque, an undisclosed amount of money and a hamper.

The first runner-up for the Online and Print
category position went to Mr Iddi Z. Yire, an Editor, also with the GNA.

He also received a plaque, a cash prize and
a hamper.

The winner for the Radio and Television
category was Mr Philip Bagyiliko Tengzu of Radio Mak, Wa, who also received an
iPad, a plaque, a cash prize and a hamper.

The award winnners also participated in the
2018 OFAB Africa Regional Awards, which was held in September in Ouagadougou,
Burkina Faso.

GNA

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