Several journalists were honored at the 10th edition of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Africa Media Awards, held last night in Lilongwe, Malawi.

The awards, locally managed by the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), aim to promote professional science reporting with a focus on agricultural biotechnology.

Director General NCST Gift Kazamira emphasized the critical role the awards play in enhancing public and scientific understanding of biotechnology.

The event, hosted in Malawi's capital, drew participants from 10 African countries, alongside leading African scientists and science communicators.

OFAB Programs Officer Vitumbiko Chinoko highlighted the importance of media in addressing myths surrounding biotechnology, underlining the media's vital role.

Among the winners, Chaltu Golocha Miessa from Ethiopia was named the Overall Winner for her television piece on biotechnology.

Other notable winners included Mildrine Sebwani from Kenya in the Radio Category, with Chinasa Osai from Nigeria as runner-up, and Onche Odeh from Nigeria in the Print and Online Category, with Annonciata Byukusenge from Rwanda as runner-up.

This time, no Malawian journalist made into the final list.

But previous Malawi's participants made their mark, with George Kalungwe of Zodiak being named runner-up in the radio category in 2022, and Andrew Viano of Zodiak winning the same category at the regional level in 2023.

The countries participating in the awards include Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria.