ONE Africa Award Announced!
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:08 pm | posted by Chris.Scott
The winner of the ONE Africa Award 2008 was announced in Accra yesterday. It was a very special occasion for ONE and we were delighted that ONE’s Policy Advisory Board member, Mr. K.Y. Amoako from Ghana agreed to make the presentation. In a surprising move, ONE decided to give the award to an organization that engages the media in efforts to stop disease and save lives.
The winner, Development Communications (DEVCOMS) Network, is a Nigerian media training and mentoring group that works with the media to improve public health. Based in the sprawling metropolis of Lagos, DEVCOMS trains and mentors journalists in public health issues and science journalism. While media may not seem an obvious player in achieving the MDGs, Akin Jimoh, DEVCOMS’ Programme Director, says information is critical for people to make well-informed decisions, especially about their health. His organization is also actively involved in advocacy efforts for free health care in Nigeria and has helped to improve both the quality and quantity of health journalism across the country.
DEVCOMS’ success is based on its long term approach to media relationships and development. Rather than running one-off training sessions, it collaborates closely with NGOs working on health issues to provide ongoing mentoring and immersion training for reporters through internships.
“We believe the silent sighs of our women and children have to stop” he said, dedicating the ONE Africa Award to the 140 women who die in Nigeria every day “giving life” and to the more than 300 children under the age of five who die every day from diarrhea, malaria and other preventable, treatable diseases. He also urged civil society organizations to help any journalist who knocks on their door. “We are all one in this” he said “ and this award reminds us of the work we have to do.”
ONE created this award to recognize the role of African individuals and organizations in achieving the MDGs. ONE plans to announce this award annually in honor of those who inspire and lead the fight against the injustice of extreme poverty.
“Information is power” said Mr Amoako when he announced DEVCOMS as the winner, “for citizens, for civil society and for governments. We will all do a better job of fighting poverty with better information and debate. DEVCOMS makes that critical link between the practical daily work of improving public health services, with citizens, through the media.”
Check back later for photos and video from the ceremony.
-Katy Cronin
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:53 pm
This is awesome! As a Public Relations and International Human Rights double major I understand the importance of the media in solving issues such as extreme poverty. Keep up the good work!
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I hope that with this VERY GENEROUS amount of money that the Development Communications (DEVCOMS) Network has been granted will be put to use to help other African nations develope similar programs in their countries.
The need is great throughout the Continent for programs just like those of DEVCOMS and it would be short-sighted for the long term future of Africa if the benefits that this money brings Nigeria is not filtered through outreach media developemnt programs to other African countries.
One suggestion that I have for this award is to MORE EVENLY DISTRIBUTE the Award money so that more Africans can benefit. A distribution of money like $50,000 / $25,000 / $25,000 ti the top three organizations spreads the potential good that this money can do for Africa to a wider population of people.
Hopefully, this idea will be seriously conside(red).
AS ONE, debbie
www.mpwn-uganda.org
September 7th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I am very thankful for ONE!!!!!This is what it is all about,having a caring and loving heart!!!!!This is what we are about!This is why we are here!!!! We can achieve anything with love in our hearts!!! Let’s press on,and fight the good fiight!!!!!
September 8th, 2008 at 12:09 am
fantastic …
September 8th, 2008 at 10:16 am
While it is encouraging to see the amount of good that a prize like this in good hands can make, is so sad to see that the US goverment has given 1Billion to Georgia leaders for their reckless enterprise … Imagine the same $1 000 000 000 spread around the world in 10,000 One’s awards … a serious step toward combating poverty all around the world. In the mean time and until those needed changes become a reality … keep the good work!
September 8th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Information IS power… and this is one ambitious path to address the extreme poverty that is keeping developing nations down. I hope this seed will manifest greater things for world peace in general!
September 8th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I for one am greatful for this site! Makes me feel fortunate! I feel so bad for those less fortunate and want to do everything I can possibly to to help out. I at times feel so powerless and feel prayer is essential and a very possitive way for one thing. For those of us who can reach out in other ways lets do all we can to help out please they are suffering so bad, especially the poor children.
Thank you!
Brenda In Pa.
September 9th, 2008 at 12:28 am
I am very happy to hear of the achievement for Accra, Ghana I have had the opportunity to talk to some people that live there and what goes on the hardships and the beautiful spirited people there.
I was so impress by the response with this website i really did not know about till i saw some people with the ONE t-shirts on and I ask so i start to read about it and I said oh wow this is it! Finally something good will happen for the less fortunate as far as the woman and the children, and yes prayer does work. I hope ‘one’ day that i can do more than sign my name to this worthy cause.
God Bless ‘ONE’ !
blackdiamonnd
September 9th, 2008 at 3:38 am
It is wonderful and encouraging to know that DEVCOMS is aware of the need for accessible and affordable healthcare and is working steadily to reach out to women and children especially. They are giving generously and investing their time, talents and resources to improve life for poor and sick people–may they be blessed as they continue and expand their work. I hope DEVCOMS will be an example for other organizations in Nigeria and around the world to work together with whatever resources and whoever is willing to help, in order to end poverty and suffering wherever it exists. Let us all do what we can to show mercy to those who need it. Prayer is powerful. God bless ONE!
September 10th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Yaaaa….one step for a better world…..