By Gloria Anderson
The Ghana Chapter of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) has launched the 8th edition of its prestigious annual media awards, calling on Ghanaian journalists to submit entries that highlight the critical role of biotechnology in sustainable agriculture.
The competition, which recognises excellence in science reporting, is open to Ghanaian 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 and close on August 30, 2025.
The awards are open across 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.
According to Enoch Ilori, Project Officer for OFAB Ghana, the initiative seeks to encourage accurate, original and impactful reporting that helps demystify biotechnology for the general public.
“We are looking for stories that clearly interpret the science and help 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 assess entries based on scientific accuracy, originality, clarity, initiative, and their contribution to public discourse.
Highlighting recent breakthroughs in Ghana’s biotech space, he pointed to the work of CSIR-SARI in Tamale, which has successfully developed a pod borer-resistant cowpea variety, Sumatra. “This is the first of its kind in Ghana, and only second to Nigeria in Africa,” he noted. “It’s a major step in ensuring crop resilience against pests without relying heavily on harmful chemicals.”
In addition to cash prizes, award winners will receive tablets or smartphones, and other attractive packages. Finalists from Ghana will also earn 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, 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.
