THE FIRST Ladies of Ghana, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Guinea Conakry, Burundi, Central African Republic (C.A.R.), Chad, Zimbabwe, Zambia, The Gambia, Liberia and Congo Brazzaville have joined forces with the Merck Foundation to launch a media awards to raise awareness of coronavirus.

The Stay at Home Media Recognition Awards for African Countries is aimed at  encouraging the continent’s media to be creative in raising awareness of how to stay safe and keep physically and mentally healthy during the coronavirus lockdowns imposed throughout the region.

The competition’s judges are inviting journalists from print, online, radio and multimedia platforms in English, French, Arabic and Portuguese speaking African countries to send their entries for the awards. 

Creative and influential

In a statement they said that ‘the most creative and influential media work aiming to raise awareness and sensitizing communities about this alarming topic at a regular basis will be eligible to win these awards’.

The Merck Foundation, which is the charitable arm of Merck KGaA Germany, a multinational pharmaceutical, chemical and life sciences company, said it is planning to extend the awards in the next few days to include Middle Eastern, Latin American and Asian countries in a bid to involve all media across the global South. 

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation said: “This unsettling period due to the coronavirus scare is difficult for everyone – both physically and mentally.

“While most countries are under complete lockdown or restricted movement, people do not know how to handle this situation. 

“Social Distancing is our social responsibility and the only way to kill coronavirus. However it will take a lot of courage and discipline to practice it. Taking good care of your mental and physical health is important during this period.

Raising awareness

“So, we decided to initiate these awards in order to reward the journalists who are raising awareness in the most effective and creative way on how to keep safe and keep physically and mentally healthy during this phase.”

Social Distancing is our social responsibility and the only way to kill coronavirus. However it will take a lot of courage and discipline to practice it.

Dr. Rasha Kelej

Kelej added: “Since most of the people are confined to their homes, they are spending a lot of time reading and listening to news through different platforms. Media professionals, it is your time to help the people to take care good care of their mental & physical health during these disturbing times, through your creative, informational and motivational work.

“You can guide them to adjust to their new and different routine & rhythm of life.”