OFAB launches annual media awards, calls for entries

Accra: The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Ghana Chapter has launched the 2024 OFAB Annual Media Awards (OMA), calling for entries from journalists reporting on sustainable agricultural biotechnologies.The categories for the award include print and online: newspapers and magazines, radio: audio or podcast and television.Applications must include a brief synopsis, about 150 words of the stories submitted, maximum three for each category, about 150-word professional biography, and a brief 200-word piece explaining the motivation for each story submitted.It also includes a digital passport-size photo and a copy of National Identification or Passport, and evidence of Media Accreditation or membership of a National Media Association.During the launch of the OMA, which is the seventh edition, Dr Richard Ampadu-Ameyaw, National Coordinator, OFAB, said to be eligible, articles submitted for consideration should have been published from June 2023 to 30 August 2024.He said previous award winne rs were not eligible to participate in this year's competition but runners-up from previous years were eligible.The National Coordinator said an independent judging committee would select the winning entries based on scientific accuracy, initiative, originality, clarity of interpretation, and value in fostering a better public understanding of agricultural biotechnology and its impact on society.Entries should be submitted to [email protected] and active links or URLs to published articles should also be added to the documents submitted no later than September 15, 2024, Dr Ampadu-Ameyaw said.The OMA is to promote excellence in science journalism and appreciate the contribution of journalists in promoting sustainable agricultural technologies, particularly agricultural biotechnology.He added that it was also to reward the critical roles played by journalists in promoting constructive dialogue on modern biotechnology through responsible, professional, ethical, and effective reporting.The National Coordinator said the culmination of the award was the OFAB Africa Media Awards contest that brought together OFAB country-level finalists from which the overall winners were selected.Source: Ghana News Agency