BUEA, CAMEROON –
Media OutReach Newswire – 14 April 2025 – In a major milestone for African journalism, three reporters from
Pan African Visions (PAV) have been honored with international accolades from the
Merck Foundation, underscoring the publication’s growing influence and commitment to impactful storytelling on health and social issues across the continent.
As part of their recognition, Esono, Mawire, and Kurupati were inducted into the prestigious Merck Foundation Alumni community – a global network of journalists dedicated to using their platforms to drive health advocacy and positive change
The recognition came during the
2024 Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards, held virtually on
April 10, 2025, under the patronage of
Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation and President of the “More Than a Mother” campaign. These annual awards, in collaboration with First Ladies across Africa, celebrate media professionals who raise awareness and drive positive change in areas such as infertility stigma, women’s empowerment, non-communicable diseases, and gender-based violence.
The winners were announced during a virtual awards ceremony held on April 10, 2025, and presided over by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation and President of the “More Than a Mother” campaign which works closely with First Ladies across Africa
Representing
Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and the African continent at large, the three award-winning journalists from PAV are:
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Boris Esono Nwenfor (Cameroon), PAV’s Bureau Chief, who clinched
third place in the
“More Than a Mother” 2024 online media category for French-speaking countries. His powerful report,
“No Excuse! VAWG Goes against Fundamental Rights of Human Beings,” shone a light on the scourge of violence against women and girls and the advocacy work of CHRDA. This marks his second Merck Foundation award, having previously won in 2021.
-
Wallace Mawire (Zimbabwe), who earned
second place in the
Southern Africa category of the “More Than a Mother” awards for his coverage of women’s reproductive health issues and empowerment.
-
Prince Kurupati (Zimbabwe), who secured
third place in the
“Diabetes & Hypertension 2024” category for his feature on the importance of lifestyle changes in combating non-communicable diseases.
As part of their recognition, all three were inducted into the
Merck Foundation Alumni community, a global network of journalists committed to advancing health advocacy through the media.
“This recognition is humbling and motivating,” said Esono. “Being part of a global network of journalists passionate about health and social justice strengthens our collective voice and deepens our commitment to telling stories that matter.”
PAV’s Managing Editor,
Ajong Mbapndah L, lauded the achievements of his team:
“We are incredibly proud of our journalists. These awards are not only a testament to their professionalism and dedication, but also a reflection of Pan African Visions’ mission to amplify African voices and address critical issues impacting our communities. We extend our deep appreciation to the Merck Foundation and Dr. Rasha Kelej for empowering journalists and championing transformative health and gender narratives.”
We applaud the outstanding work of the Merck Foundation and Dr. Rasha Kelej in promoting health, gender equity, and social justice through journalism, says PAV Managing Editor Ajong Mbapndah L
This latest milestone adds to Pan African Visions’ impressive track record of recognition. In 2021, journalists
Ishmael Koroma and
Nevson Mpofu were also awarded by the Merck Foundation, further solidifying PAV’s position as a leading voice in health and development reporting across Africa.
Through its
monthly magazine and dynamic
news portal www.panafricanvisions.com, PAV continues to drive impactful journalism that connects the African continent, informs global audiences, and fosters dialogue around Africa’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
Hashtag: #PanAfricanVisions
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
