PRESS RELEASE – ACCER AWARDS
Abidjan, 31 August 2024 – The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) has honored outstanding journalists reporting on environmental and climate change issues in Africa. The award ceremony occurred in Abidjan, alongside the 12th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa (CCDA-XII).
This year’s theme was “Advancing Accountability for Adaptation Finance for Enhanced Resilience, Climate Justice, and Equity.” 478 journalists submitted entries, with 16 winners selected across six categories.
The categories for submissions included Print Media, Broadcast Media, Digital Activism, Investigative Reporting, Coverage of Local Climate Change Issues, and Opinion/Commentary.
During the gala night, Carlton Cofie, the Chief Judge, praised the exceptional quality of the entries and highlighted the challenge of selecting the winners due to the high level of competition. He also mentioned that future competitions would be enhanced, with journalists receiving additional training in climate change and environmental issues.
Now in its 8th edition, the ACCER Awards were first launched in 2013. Dr. Mithika Mwenda, Executive Director of PACJA, emphasized the strategic role of the media in advancing and promoting climate justice advocacy across Africa and beyond.
The African Climate Change and Environmental Reporting (ACCER) Awards, held biennially since 2013, aim to recognize and encourage exceptional journalists and media networks. These awards celebrate those who effectively use their skills, reach, and influence to simplify complex environmental and scientific discussions, raising awareness of how these issues impact people’s lives, societies, economies, and the planet’s health.
Below is a list of the winners of the 8th ACCER Awards.
- Investigative Reporting – Winner Ojok James Onon & Uchenna Igwe Uganda and Nigeria
(Zam Magazine Africa)
Runner -up Kuessie Nze Romulus DorvaL from Cameroon
(Vitrine du Cameroon)
- Digital activists Winner Alex Taremwa from Uganda (Last Drop Africa)
Runner -up M. Ernest Agbota from Benin
- Print Media Winner Temwani Mgunda from Malawi (Dialogue Earth)
Runner -up Ouedraogo Patinema Oumar from Burkina Faso
(Les Editions Sidwaya)
- Opinion/ Commentary Winner Jasmine Atieno Odera from Kenya
(Mediamax Networks Limited-People Daily Newspaper)
Runner -up Leleti Jassor from Kenya
(National media Group)
- Data Journalism Winner Arthur Bizimana & Mukulu Vulotwa Herve from Burundi from Congo DR
(www.greenafia.com et https://www.ibihe.org)
Runner -up Bernard KABORÉ alias Lassane Oumar TRAORÉ from Burkina Faso
(Le Point Afrique)
- Broadcast Media Winner Sela Nestor from Benin (Radio Parakou)
Runner -up Kpokame Kouadio Hermann from Benin SRTB (Societe De Radio Et Television Du Benin)
7)Coverage of Local Climate Change Issues
Winner Wambi Michael from UGANDA
(INTER PRESS SERVICE)
Runner Up Bettina Nwelih from NIGERIA
(NEWS CENTRAL TV)
