The winning scribes announced through a statement released Thursday  by Merck Foundation an organization which introduced the awards in partnership with First Ladies of Malawi,  Ghana,  Nigeria,  DRC,  Namibia,  Niger,  Guinea-Conakry, Burundi,  Central  African Republic,  Chad,  Zimbabwe,  Zambia,  Gambia,  Liberia,  Congo Brazzaville, Angola and Mozambique .

Chief Executive Officer for Merck Foundation, Rasha Kalej said in a statement that “the journalists have been awarded for distinguished reportage, exceptional work and frequency" in covering the COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi.

Aunyango attributes his success in winning the award to team saying he will work even harder to achieve more in the journalism industry.

"It's all because of team work and I thank God for making it possible for my work to be recognized internationally”, said Aunyango.

Other Malawian journalists who have also received this year's award are MBC's Aston Gondwe, who got the second position in the multimedia Category and NPL's Mercy Malikwa who came as a second runners - up in the Online Category.