By Deborah Asantewaah SARFO
The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) has officially launched the call for submissions to its annual OFAB Media Awards (OMA).
The National Coordinator-OFAB, Dr. Richard Ampadu-Ameyaw, said journalists across the country have until September 15, 2024 to submit their work.
The award categories include news stories written in newspapers, magazines, online, radio (audio or podcast) and television. Each category will produce a winner and runner-up.
The seventh OMA is focused on awarding journalists who have dedicated their medium to report on sustainable agricultural biotechnologies published from June 2023 to Aug 30, 2024.
Elaborating on the criteria, Dr. Ampadu-Ameyaw said with commercialisation of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cowpea in the country, stories must educate citizens on Bt cowpea and its impact on the agricultural sector.
“We expect journalists to write stories around the commercialisation of Bt cowpea and its role in the food and agricultural sector,” he said.
The grand finale will end in recognition for three outstanding journalists across three categories: television, radio and print/online.
Winners will further join other OFAB country-level finalists in the prestigious OFAB Africa Media Awards contest, where the best of the best in agricultural biotechnology reporting will be celebrated.
Dr. Ampadu-Ameyaw noted that an independent judging panel, comprising scientists, will rigorously assess each entry using the following evaluation criteria: originality of the story, scientific accuracy, clarity in interpretation and overall impact of the reporting.
Journalists interested in submitting their work are encouraged to send their entries via email to [email protected]. Submissions should include active links or URLs to published articles, radio and TV stories.
Additionally, applications should include a brief synopsis (about 150 words) of the stories submitted (max 3 for each category), an about-150 words professional biography and a brief 200-word piece explaining the motivation for each story submitted.
Other requirements include a digital passport-size photo, copy of a national ID or passport and proof of media accreditation or membership in a National Media Association.
OFAB is a partnership platform that contributes to creating an enabling environment for biotechnology research, development and deployment for the benefit of smallholder farmers in Africa.
It operates in ten countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Nigeria, among others.
