he Ghana Chapter of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) has launched the 8th edition of its prestigious annual media awards, inviting Ghanaian journalists to submit entries that highlight the critical role of biotechnology in sustainable agriculture.
This competition, which recognizes excellence in science reporting, is open to journalists whose works on agricultural biotechnology have been published or broadcast between June 2024 and August 15, 2025. Entries will be accepted from May 1 until August 30, 2025.
The awards encompass three categories: Print and Online, Radio, and Television. Winners in each category will represent Ghana at the OFAB Africa Media Awards, where top journalists from ten African countries will compete.
Enoch Ilori, Project Officer for OFAB Ghana, emphasized that the initiative aims to encourage accurate, original, and impactful reporting that demystifies biotechnology for the public. “We are looking for stories that clearly interpret the science and foster better public understanding of agricultural biotechnology and its potential to transform Ghana’s food systems,” he stated.
Ilori further explained that the judging panel will evaluate entries based on scientific accuracy, originality, clarity, initiative, and their contribution to public discourse. He highlighted recent breakthroughs in Ghana’s biotech sector, including the work of CSIR-SARI in Tamale, which has developed a pod borer-resistant cowpea variety, Sumatra. “This is the first of its kind in Ghana and only the second in Africa, marking a significant step in ensuring crop resilience against pests without heavy reliance on harmful chemicals,” he noted.
In addition to cash prizes, award winners will receive tablets or smartphones along with other attractive packages. Finalists from Ghana will also have the opportunity to compete at the continental level, where prizes are awarded in US dollars.
Applicants must submit a short synopsis of their stories, a 200-word motivation for each story, a professional biography, a passport-size photo, a copy of a national ID, and evidence of media accreditation. Entries must include live links to published content and should be emailed to ofabghana@outlook.com by the August 30 deadline.
OFAB Ghana, hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), continues to champion public education on agricultural biotechnology to promote innovation and food security in the country.
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