{"id":113503,"date":"2026-01-31T17:13:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T17:13:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=113503"},"modified":"2026-01-31T17:13:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T17:13:24","slug":"ghana-to-host-2026-remapsen-media-forum-as-country-coordinator-journalist-wins-award-in-cotonou","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=113503","title":{"rendered":"Ghana to host 2026 REMAPSEN Media Forum as country coordinator, journalist wins award in Cotonou"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>4 Minute, 33 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>
\n

Ghana will host the 2026 REMAPSEN Media Forum and Awards in Accra in November, following major recognition for the country and\u00a0its\u00a0National Coordinator\u00a0Emefa\u00a0Ewoenam\u00a0Atiamoah-Eli.<\/p>\n

This came up\u00a0at the 2025 REMAPSEN Media Forum and Awards for the Promotion of Health and Environment, held in\u00a0Cotonou, Benin, from January 28 to 30, 2026.<\/p>\n

The awards ceremony coincided with the commemoration of World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day, marked on Friday, January 30, 2026, which also served as the central theme of this year\u2019s REMAPSEN Media Forum.<\/p>\n

\"Ghana<\/figure>\n

At the closing ceremony, Ghana was adjudged the \u201cMost Committed Country in REMAPSEN 2025\u201d, receiving the Michel\u00a0Sidib\u00e9\u00a0Prize. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Led by\u00a0JoyNews<\/strong>\u00a0Editor at the Multimedia Group, who is also the Country\u00a0Coordinator\u00a0for REMAPSEN Ghana,\u00a0Emefa Ama\u00a0Ewoenam\u00a0Atiamoah was\u00a0also\u00a0named Best Journalist in Health Reporting \u2013 Radio Category among\u00a0her peers from\u00a0the region.<\/p>\n

Nine other journalists from different African countries were also honoured for excellence in reporting on health and environmental issues.<\/p>\n

\"Ghana<\/figure>\n

President of the African Media Network for the Promotion of Health and Environment (REMAPSEN),\u00a0Bamba\u00a0Youssouf, said aligning the forum and awards with World NTD Day was intentional.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeglected tropical diseases continue to affect millions across Africa, yet they receive limited media attention. This forum places journalists at the\u00a0centre\u00a0of advocacy to change that reality,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He also noted that\u00a0\u201cThe award is not a competition, rather,\u00a0it is to encourage and celebrate the African journalist for\u00a0his\/her\u00a0efforts in promoting public health\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Ghana<\/figure>\n

Mr.\u00a0Youssouf\u00a0announced Ghana as the host of the next edition,\u00a0with Benin\u00a0handing\u00a0over the\u00a0baton\u00a0to the Ghanaian delegation.<\/p>\n

\u201cGhana has demonstrated leadership, consistency and commitment to REMAPSEN\u2019s mission. Hosting the 2026 Media Forum and Awards in Accra is a recognition of that commitment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The Michel\u00a0Sidib\u00e9\u00a0Prize, awarded to Ghana, recognises countries that demonstrate sustained engagement, institutional support and active participation in REMAPSEN\u2019s advocacy work across health and environmental sectors.<\/p>\n

\"Ghana<\/figure>\n

African Union Special Envoy for the African Medicines Agency\u00a0and\u00a0Former Executive Director of UNAIDS and global health advocate,\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Michel\u00a0Sidib\u00e9, underscored the role of journalism in strengthening public health systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no effective public health response without credible journalism. Journalists are essential partners in combating misinformation, demanding accountability and ensuring that no community is left behind,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Receiving the\u00a0Best Journalist in Health Reportingaward,\u00a0Emefa\u00a0Ewoenam\u00a0Atiamoah-Eli of JoyNews, <\/strong>who also serves as\u00a0West and Central Africa Regional Coordinator (MNCH) for REMAPSEN, described the recognition as a call to remain true to the social contract of journalism in health and environmental reporting.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Ghana<\/figure>\n

\u201cThis award reinforces the responsibility to tell health stories that are\u00a0centred\u00a0on people and capable of influencing policy and\u00a0behaviour,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She added that JoyNews and\u00a0The Multimedia Group Limited\u00a0remain committed to sustained reporting on health and environmental issues, particularly those affecting vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n

The two-day forum featured high-level discussions on the role of African media in NTD advocacy, resource mobilisation for health reporting, climate\u2013health linkages, cross-border collaboration, and strategies for sustaining public interest in neglected health and environmental issues.<\/p>\n

\"Ghana<\/figure>\n

Participants examined how journalists can translate complex scientific and policy information into compelling, accurate stories that drive community action and influence decision-making.<\/p>\n

Development partners, civil society organisations and public health institutions participated in the forum and supported the event through sponsorship and technical engagement, underscoring the importance of strong media\u2013development partnerships. <\/p>\n

Among those that supported and participated in this year\u2019s Forum and Awards were the\u00a0Gates Foundation,\u00a0<\/strong>Speak Up Africa, the\u00a0World Health Organisation (Benin Office), the Raoul Follereau Foundation\u00a0and\u00a0Galien\u00a0Africa, among several others.<\/p>\n

\"Ghana<\/figure>\n

REMAPSEN, a French acronym which stands for the African Media Network for the Promotion of Health and Environment, is a pan-African network of journalists established to strengthen media capacity, promote reporting and advance advocacy on health and environmental issues across the continent.<\/p>\n

Since its establishment\u00a0at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, REMAPSEN has worked across multiple African countries to build journalists\u2019 skills, push for\u00a0cross-border collaboration and use media advocacy to support public health, environmental protection and sustainable development goals.<\/p>\n

The 2025 awards mark the fourth edition of the REMAPSEN Media Forum and Awards, which have been hosted in four different African countries, reflecting the network\u2019s commitment to regional inclusion and shared learning.<\/p>\n

\"Ghana<\/figure>\n

With Ghana set to host the 2026 REMAPSEN Media Forum and Awards,\u00a0organisers\u00a0say the Accra edition will further strengthen Africa-led conversations on\u00a0Reproductive Health and Family\u00a0Planning,\u00a0climate resilience and health communication.<\/p>\n

The Forum is expected to\u00a0deepen\u00a0collaboration among journalists and partners across the continent.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccra 2026 will be an opportunity to consolidate partnerships and elevate African voices on health and the environment,\u201d Mr\u00a0Youssouf\u00a0said.<\/p>\n

Here is the list of winners of the 2025 REMAPSEN Awards, including the Michel Sidib\u00e9 Prizes<\/strong><\/p>\n

ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALIST AWARDS<\/p>\n

1st Prize Radio: Aguibou Coulibaly (ORTB Mali)<\/p>\n

1st Prize Television: Caroline W\u00e9t\u00e9 (CRTV), Cameroon<\/p>\n

1st Prize Print Media: Ngoya Ndiaye (Rewmi Quotidien,) Senegal<\/p>\n

1st Prize Online Media: Michael Moukouangui (Lettre verte), Gabon<\/p>\n

HEALTH JOURNALIST AWARDS<\/p>\n

1st Prize Radio: Emefa Atiamoah (The Multimedia Group), Ghana<\/p>\n

1st Prize Television: R\u00e9gis Talikp\u00e9ti (E47 TV) Togo<\/p>\n

1st Prize Print Media: Kadijah Aliyu (Federal Corporation,) Nigeria<\/p>\n

1st Prize Online Media: Aboubacar Tour\u00e9 (Planet.224) Guinea<\/p>\n

AWARDS FOR BEST NATIONAL COORDINATIONS<\/p>\n

1st Prize: Benin<\/p>\n

2nd Prize: Ivory Coast<\/p>\n

3rd Prize: Cameroon<\/p>\n

4th Prize: Ghana<\/p>\n

5th Prize: Togo<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n \n
\n \n \"Happy\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Happy <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n \n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Sad\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Sad <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Excited\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Excited <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Sleepy\"\n <\/a>\n
\n Sleepy <\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n \n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Angry\"\n <\/a>\n
Angry<\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n \n \"Surprise\"\n <\/a>\n
Surprise<\/div>\n
\n 0<\/span>\n 0<\/span> %<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\"GhanaGhana will host the 2026 REMAPSEN Media Forum and Awards in Accra in November, following major recognition for the country and\u00a0its\u00a0National Coordinator\u00a0Emefa\u00a0Ewoenam\u00a0Atiamoah-Eli.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_2277560469115098_106292521332774":"","twitter_aToxNzczMzI3Njk4OTg4ODUxMjAxOw==_1773327698988851200":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1972,1838,16232,16233,1883,10,9,16234],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-113503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-africa","category-awards","category-cotonou","category-emefa-ewoenam-atiamoah-eli","category-national","category-politics","category-popular","category-remapsen-media-forum"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113503","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=113503"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113503\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=113503"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=113503"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=113503"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}