BBC launches 2018 Komla Dumor Award in Ghana

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) today launched the 2018 Komla Dumor Award here in Accra, Ghana.

The event, which is in its fourth year will give journalists across the African continent an opportunity to apply for the prestigious prize of working with the BBC for three months gaining skills and experience.

While spending time with the BBC in London, the winner will also get to travel to an African country to report on a story they have researched.

The award was set up to honor the memory of Komla Afeke Dumor, a Ghanaian journalist who worked for BBC World News and was the main presenter of its programme “Focus on Africa”.

Speaking at the launch, Head of Editorial Partnerships and Special Projects for the BBC World Service Group, Emily Kasriel said the corporation was looking forward to finding another exceptional journalist from the continent as the next BBC world news Komla Dumor Award winner.

“For a journalist to qualify for this award, the individual must be living and working in Africa. The person must also combine strong journalism skills, with an on-air flair, knowledge of the Africa continent and its history and an exceptional talent in telling African stories.”

Previous winners of the BBC World News Komla Dumor Award are Nancy Kacungira from Kenya - in 2015, Didi Akinyelure from Nigerian - in 2016 and Amina Yuguda, also from Nigeria – in 2017.

Commending the BBC for the initiative and the opportunity, 2017 winner Amina Yuguda urged journalists to come to terms with their responsibility to society and the world.

According to her, the BBC was investing a lot in African journalism by helping African journalists tell the stories that will impact their continent.



Applicants can submit their reports from now to March 23, 2018. The event was graced by Ghana’s Information Minister Mustapha Hamid, the British High Commissioner to Ghana - Iain Walker, and the family of the late journalist.