CTA announces winners of the media competition
In a tightly fought contest, six finalists from around the ACP region battled it out for overall honours in a display of journalistic talent during the international conference in Addis Ababa. Ms Faumuina Tafuna’i from Samoa, Ms Winfred Akhayela Onyimbo of Kenya, Ms Line Renée Anaba from Cameroon, Mr Inoussa Maiga from Burkina Faso, Jamaican, Ms Patrina Pink and from Zambia Mr Darlington Kahilu had been selected from over 100 entries as finalists from each of the ACP regions in October. The six young media professionals were invited to travel to Ethiopia to attend the conference and were tasked with composing a news story during the conference in the final stage of the competition. Chair of the judges panel, Dr. Maria Protz, praised the contestants for their high level of talent and imagination. Submissions included a mixture of articles and reports for radio. First prize was awarded to Samoan media officer, Faumuina Tafuna’i who composed an inspired story on emerging mobile services for smallholder farmers. Second place went to Inoussa Maiga and third place to Line Renée Anaba. The short-listed winners each received a cash prize of €1000.
Photo: The 2012 Media Competition winners with judge Dr. Maria Protz (from left to right: Dr. Maria Protz, Line Renée Anaba, Faumuina Tafuna’i and Inoussa Maiga)
Download the winning article by Ms Faumuina Tafuna’i from Samoa.
Listen to the reportage by Renée Anaba
Dr Protz said, “there were many interesting entries and the race was very tight. It was evident that there are many challenges in value chain development within ACP countries. It was encouraging to learn of the increasing adaptation of new information and communications technologies (ICTs) to improve agriculture”.
The competition was organized by CTA as a run up to the international conference. Specifically, the competition was aimed at encouraging media specialists to investigate challenges and opportunities for smallholder farmers to engage in value chains and showcase success stories and best practices that could be replicated and raise awareness on the importance of agriculture and rural development.
“This competition is an excellent initiative showcasing best practices about the importance of media and communications in promoting value chains. The candidates showed talent, creativity and originality in bringing out local experiences and practices around value chains in ACP countries”, notes Prof. Gervais Mbarga, another judge.
CTA conducts carefully selected media competitions to raise awareness, leading to understanding and action, about critical issues affecting agricultural and rural development.
