I am proud to announce the winners of Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 2024 “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes and Hypertension”. We have 125 winners from 36 countries in partnership with my dear sisters, the First Ladies of Africa and Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”. The theme of “More Than a Mother” Awards was to raise awareness on any of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV at all levels, and the theme of “Diabetes and Hypertension” Awards was to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
We started our Media Awards in 2017, and year after year we are witnessing a substantial increase in the number of outstanding and regular entries from many countries, which is very encouraging for us. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate not only winners from across Africa but also from Asian and Latin American countries, reflecting the global impact of our initiatives.
Winners of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2024
Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW; and The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H.E. Dr. FATIMA MAADA BIO:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Jennifer Ambolley, The Chronicle, Ghana (First Position)
- Mackie Muctarr Jalloh, News Times Daily, Sierra Leone (Second position)
- Alao Abiodun, The Nation, Nigeria (Second position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Dzifa Tetteh Tay, The Spectator, Ghana (First Position)
- Laudia Sawer, Ghana News Agency, Ghana (First Position)
- Nyima Sillah, The Voice, The Gambia (Second Position)
- Isatou Ceesay, The Gambia Point, The Gambia (Third Position)
- Abigail Arthur, Citi Newsroom, Ghana (Third Position)
- Odimegwu Onwumere, The Nigerian Voice, Nigeria (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNER
- Mavis Offei Acheampong, GBC Radio, Ghana (First Position)
- Joyce Kantam Kolamong, GBC Radio, Ghana(Second Position)
- Zainab Sunkary Koroma, Star Radio, Sierra Leone (Third Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS
- Tolulope Adeleru-Balogun, News Central TV, Nigeria (First Position)
- Alieu Ceesay, QTV, The Gambia (Second Position)
- Mona Lisa Frimpong, Joy News, Ghana (Third Position)
Here are the Winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Malawi, H.E. Mrs. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS
- Precious Kumbani, The Nation, Malawi (First Position)
- Gresham Ngwira, Freelancer, Malawi (Second Position)
- Simon Muntemba, Daily Nation, Zambia (Second Position)
- Charlotte Nambadja, The Namibian, Namibia (Third Position)
- Silence Mugadzaweta, The Standard, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Alain Kabinda, Daily News Agency, Zambia (First Position)
- Catherine Murombedzi, Freelancer, Zimbabwe (First Position)
- Alick Ponje, The Times, Malawi (second Position)
- Wallace Mawire, Pan African Visions, Zimbabwe (Second Position)
- Hamu Madzedze, 365 Health Diaries, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
- Kundai Michael Magoronga, Chronicle, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
- Mlondi Mkhize, Briefly News, South Africa (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Glendah Fadzai Takachicha, Capitalk FM, Zimbabwe (First Position)
- Tina Nyirenda, Smooth FM, Zambia (Second Position)
- Sylviah Chisi, Trans World Radio, Malawi (Second Position)
- Nyasha Mandimutsira, Capitalk FM, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
- Perina N. Wahara, PL FM, Malawi (Third Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS
- Keneilwe Pono, YTV, Botswana (First Position)
- Taati Niilenge, The Namibian, Namibia (Second Position)
- Lame Lucas, YTV, Botswana (Third Position)
Here are the winners from East African Countries:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS
- Elizabeth Angira, People Daily, Kenya (First Position)
- Marco Maduhu, Nipashe, Tanzania (Second Position)
- Margaret Maina, Nation Media, Kenya (Second Position)
- Beatrice Philemon Mukocho, The Guardian, Tanzania (Third Position)
- Vitus Audax, The Guardian, Tanzania (Third Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Kamau Maichuhie, Nation Online, Kenya (First Position)
- Isabella Maua Chemosit, Freelancer, Kenya (Second Position)
- Anne Robi, Daily News, Tanzania (Second Position)
- Nteza Michael, UG Standard, Uganda (Third Position)
- Benjamin Takpiny, Anadolu Agency, South Sudan (Third Position)
- Ayele Addis Ambelu, Ethiopian Mass Media Action News, Ethiopia (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Caren Waraba Sisya, Radio Citizen, Kenya (First Position)
- Mamer Abraham Kuot, Voice of America, South Sudan, (Second Position)
- Mwanaisha Makumbuli, Highlands FM, Tanzania (Second Position)
- Fatuma Mustapha Mtemangani, Pambazuko FM, Tanzania (Third Position)
- Daniel Byiringiro, Flash FM, Rwanda (Third Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER
- Rose Wangui, NTV Kenya, Kenya (First Position)
- Andrew Juma, TV47, Kenya (Second Position)
- Leonard Kigozi and Isabel Nakirya, CGTN Africa, Uganda (Third Position)
- Mackriner Siyovelwa, Crown Media, Tanzania (Third Position)
Here are the winners from French Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE; The First Lady of Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. Madam DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Issa Moussa, Niger Times, Niger (First Position)
- Koami Agbetiafa, Niger Inter Press Group, Niger (Second Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- AZODODASSI Mêmèdé Ambroisine, Savoir News, Togo (First Position)
- Julio Gada, Global News, Benin (Second Position)
- Boris Esono Nwenfor, Pan African Visions, Cameroon (Third Position)
- Bakari Guèye, Initiatives News, Mauritania (Third Position)
- Frimo Koukou Djipro, Lelus, Côte d’Ivoire(Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Remy RUKUNDO, Radio TV Buntu, Burundi (First Position)
- Magnus MFURANZIMA, ISÔKO FM, Burundi (First Position)
- Mame Mbagnick DIOUF, Radio Oxyjeunes, Senegal (Second Position)
- Tanko Worou, Radio SU TII DERA, Benin (Second Position)
- Moussa KONE, Radio Channel 2, Mali (Third Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS
- Matthias KABUYA TSHILUMBA, RTDK, DRC (First Position)
Here are the winners from Portuguese Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde, H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO:
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Edisângela Tavares, Expresso das Ilhas, Cabo Verde (First Position)
- Sheilla Ribeiro, Sociedade, Cabo Verde (Second Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Teresa Monteiro Pinto, Rádio Televisão de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde (First Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS
- Ângelo Semedo, Deutsche Welle, Cabo Verde (First Position)
Merck Foundation “Diabetes & Hypertension” Media Recognition Awards 2024
Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW; and The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H.E. Dr. FATIMA MAADA BIO:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Agnes Opoku Saprong, Ghanaian Times, Ghana (First Position)
- Patience Ivie Ihejirika, Leadership Newspaper, Nigeria (Second Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Muhammed Lamin Touray, Freelancer, The Gambia (First Position)
- Prince Owusu Asiedu, Adom Online, Ghana (Second Position)
- Lara Adejoro, The Punch, Nigeria (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Godwin Awuni Anafo, Odadee Radio, Ghana (First Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER
- Emmanuel Dzivenu Seyram Abla De-Souza, Joy TV, Ghana (First Position)
- Ezedimbu Karen Ogomegbunem, Africa Independent Television, Nigeria, (Second Position)
- Lois Abba Sambo, Abuja Broadcasting Corporation, Nigeria (Third Position)
- Akua Oforiwa Darko, TV3, Ghana (Third Position)
Here are the Winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Malawi, H.E. Mrs. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Mrs. MUTINTA HICHILEMA; The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Nancy Kefilwe Ramokhua, The Patriot, Botswana (First Position)
- Matilda Chimwaza Majawa, Times Group, Malawi (Second Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- June Shimuoshili, Unwrap Online, Namibia (First Position)
- Tendai Chisiri, Sport Way News Net, Zimbabwe (Second Position)
- Shireen van Wyk, Shay Blogger, Namibia (Third Position)
- Prince Kurupati, Pan African Visions, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Elvis Howahowa, Times Radio, Malawi (First Position)
- Stella Mlotha, Trans World Radio, Malawi (Second Position)
Here are the winners from East African Countries:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Lucy Johnbosco, Mwananchi, Tanzania (First Position)
- Christina Mwakangale, Nipashe, Tanzania (Second Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Joan Mbabazi, The New Times, Rwanda (First Position)
- Leon Lidigu, Nation Online, Kenya (Second Position)
- Namwalo Daniel Absalom, Kenya News Agency, Kenya (Third Position)
- Angela Kezengwa, Citizen Digital, Kenya (Third Position)
- Veronica Mrema, M24 Tanzania, Tanzania (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- Kintu Khalid, Radio Simba, Uganda (First Position)
- Asha Bekidusa, Bahari FM, Kenya (Second Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER
- Walter Mwesigye, NTV, Uganda (First Position)
- Edvesta Tarimo, Tumaini Media, Tanzania (Second Position)
Here are the winners from French Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE; and The First Lady of Democratic Republic of the Congo, H.E. Madam DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS
- Konan N’Guessan Attoumgbre Joseph, La Retraite Active, Côte d’Ivoire(First Position)
- Nkurunziza Moise, Le Renouveau, Burundi (Second Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Bahwa Ferdinand, Le Journal Africa, Burundi(First Position)
- Abdoulaye Ouédraogo, Queen Mafa, Burkina Faso (Second Position)
- Richard Manirakiza, l’Agence Burundaise de Presse, Burundi (Second Position)
- Mapote Gaye, Infomedia27, Senegal (Second Position)
- Atha Menssan Woffa Assan, Focus Infos, Togo (Third Position)
- Catherine Aimée Biloa, Échos Santé, Cameroon (Third Position)
- Nadège Omoladé SANNY, SRTB Online, Benin (Third Position)
RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS
- MVUYEKURE Jean Claude, Radio TV Buntu, Burundi(First Position)
- Abdoul Razak Sani Oumarou, Radio Saraounia Maradi, Niger (Second Position)
- Kabamba Ngalamulume Fabrice, Radio Télévision de l’éducation (RTEDUC), DRC (Third Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER
- Chris IRAMBONA, Radio Television Buntu, Burundi (First Position)
Here are the winners from ASIAN Countries:
PRINT CATEGORY WINNER
- Parikshit Nirbhay, Amar Ujala, India (First Position)
- Revathi Murugappan, Star Health, Malaysia (Second Position)
- Pooja Biraia, The Week, India (Third Position)
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Rashe Zoe Sophia B Piquero, Cebu Daily News, Philippines (First Position)
- Roshan Bhandari, Medicoliterature, Nepal (Second Position)
- Crystal Chow, Undark Magazine, China (Third Position)
Here are the winners from LATIN AMERICA Countries:
ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS
- Adriana Becerra, Agencia Brunch, Mexico (First Position)
- Rafaela Polo, UOL, Brazil (Second Position)
MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER
- Roxana Fabiola Lopresti, Channel 9 Televida, Argentina (First Position)
- Ana Paula Pedrosa, R7, Brazil (Second Position)
Once again, congratulations to all our winners. All our winners are the Champions of critical and sensitive social and health issues in their communities. It’s truly inspiring to witness how we’re actively involving and engaging everyone, enabling them to be the voice of the voiceless and create a culture shift. I’m delighted to extend a warm welcome as you join the Merck Foundation Alumni. Let’s keep raising awareness on social and health issues together.
I would also like to announce the Call for Applications for the Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 2025 “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes and Hypertension”. These awards are in partnership with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”.
Details of Merck Foundation Media Awards 2025:
1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition “More Than a Mother” Awards 2025
Theme for the awards: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV at all levels.
Who can apply: Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:
- Southern African Countries
- West African Countries
- East African Countries
- French Speaking African Countries
- Portuguese Speaking African Countries
Submission deadline: 30th September 2025.
2. Merck Foundation Media Recognition “Diabetes & Hypertension” Awards 2025
Theme for the awards: Promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.
Who can apply: Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:
- Southern African Countries
- West African Countries
- East African Countries
- French Speaking African Countries
- Portuguese Speaking African Countries
- Latin American Countries
- Asian Countries
Submission deadline: 30th October 2025.
All entries are to be submitted to submit@merck-foundation.com.
Kindly note, sending multiple relevant entries for both categories will increase the chances of winning the award.
Kind Regards,
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej,
CEO of Merck Foundation
President of “More Than a Mother” campaign.