Category: World Service
Date: 25.07.2006
Printable version
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service has appointed its popular presenter Vera Kwakofi as Project Manager of the new Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Africa Radio Awards.
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Vera will be leading this major competition to identify and honour the best English-language broadcasters across the continent.
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Launching in September, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Africa Radio Awards will culminate in a final in May 2007.
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The new Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Africa Radio Awards aims to recognise the continent's fast-moving and ever-expanding radio scene and celebrate the achievements of the best of the stations and individual broadcasters - those providing quality, impartial local news and highlighting the issues which faceΜύtheir listeners.
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Head of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Africa & Middle East Region, Jerry Timmins, says: "The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's programming for Africa is a fundamental part of the media scene across the continent.
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"While we employ some great talent for our African output, we are often very well aware of the professionalism and achievements of local broadcasters.
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"To highlight these achievements, we are now embarking on a competition to promote the finest African radio talent broadcasting in English.
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"I am very pleased that Vera Kwakofi has agreed to lead this project.
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"She has a track-record of excellent and dynamic journalism, and her inclusive, warm presentation style has won her popularity among around 21 million Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ listeners across the English-speaking Africa."
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Ghanaian-born Vera believes the awards will celebrate the best in African English-language radio journalism.
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She says: "Having worked in radio in Ghana, I know how important radio has become to the growth of a democratic culture, as radio has helped make people more aware of their place and role in the development of their country.
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"With this competition, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is recognising the vibrant radio scene that has flourished across Africa and the hard work that has gone into the growth of radio in Africa.
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"I am honoured and excited to be part of this project."
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Africa Radio Awards honour the following categories: Radio Station of the Year, New Radio Station of the Year (launched since September 2004), News Journalist of the Year, Sports Journalist of the Year, Local On-Air Campaign of the Year, Interactive/Talk Show of the Year and Young Broadcaster of the Year (entrants must be 20 years of age or under on 31 December 2006).
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Entries will be judged on a regional basis with the winners selected by an independent panel of judges, chosen for their knowledge of the region and its media.
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Three listeners will also take part in the judging process as prize-winners of a competition running on the interactive programme, Network Africa.
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The winning regional entries will be put forward for the overall prize which will be announced at an awards ceremony in Africa next year.
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