By Emmanuel Oti Acheampong
The British Broadcasting Corporation has launched the ninth edition of the Komla Dumor Awards to uncover and promote rising young African Journalists.
The award was established to honour Komla Dumor, an exceptional Ghanaian broadcaster and presenter for BBC World News, who died suddenly aged 41 a decade ago.
The BBC is encouraging journalists across Africa to apply for the prize, which seeks to promote and celebrate outstanding journalistic talent living and working on the continent.
As well as receiving training, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to travel to a country in Africa to report on a story that they have researched, with the report broadcast to the BBC’s global audiences.
Known for championing robust, dynamic journalism and for his commitment to reporting African stories comprehensively and authentically, Dumor made a significant impact on Africa and the rest of the world.
Dumor’s widow, Kwansema Dumor, said she was proud of her husband’s impact at the BBC, and also said her family were thankful to the BBC for remembering him” through the prize.
With the reigning winner of the Komla Dumor Awards hailing from Ghana, the awards presents another opportunity for Young Ghanaian Journalists to take cue from the legacies of the legend Komla Dumor to make an impact with their stories.
The winner of the award will spend three months at the BBC Headquarters in London to gain more skills and experience in the field of Journalistic practice. Applications will be closed on March 15, 2023.
According to the Senior Controller of BBC’s News International Services, Liliane Landor the Corporation has been impressed with the talents that the award scheme has provided over the years.
She mentioned that it will continue to uphold the legacy of the late Komla Dumor in order to continue the celebration of Africa’s Journalistic excellence.
“We have been impressed and delighted with the caliber of talent that has shone through, thanks to the award in Komla’s name. Through his legacy we want to continue to celebrate Africa’s Journalistic excellence,” she said.
