By: Mohamed Sahr mohamedsahrpro@gmail.com
Mohamed Sahr, a reporter from A-Z Newspaper has fully dedicated his passion in journalism and creative writing across diverse beats. He emerges as one of the winners in the first edition of the 2023 National Inclusive and Anti-Conflict Award Competition organized by Media Reform Coordinating Group Sierra Leone (MRCG-SL) and Minority Rights Group International with fund from European Union in the bid of voicing out minority right issues.
Sahr has made gleaming contributions in the field of journalism and creative writing. His passion for writing is exceptional and excellent driven.
His recognition is not an individual achievement but a success for media institutions in Sierra Leone. For him, it shows that the power of media helps to amplify hidden voices with shared commitment to creating a better world for everybody irrespective of sentiments, regions and tribes.
“I am proud to be in the company of remarkable individuals and organizations who have dedicated themselves in perfecting this course and creating positive change about the things the world is grappled with,” Sahr mentioned.
In an effort of voicing minority rights issues under the Engaging Media and Minorities to Act for Peace Building (EMMAP) agenda, Media Reform Coordinating Group Sierra Leone (MRCG-SL) in partnership with Minority Rights Group International with fund from European Union has awarded top three journalists in the National Inclusive and Anti-Conflict Competition on Tuesday 31st October 2023 at the 50/50 Hall in Freetown.
Speaking on the event, Eastina Taylor, President of Women In Media Sierra Leone (WIMSL) and member of the Evaluation Committee said the evaluation process of the first edition of National Inclusive and Anti-Conflict Competition saw a total of fifteen stories out of twenty-five entries from journalists across the country, all of which were evaluated.
She added that the stories comprise articles, audios and videos were summited despite multiple stories sent during the entry process. “The evaluation process focuses on five thematic areas such as originality of the stories, the investigative work, the impact of the stories, authentic representation and call to action by government and goodwill organizations,” madam Taylor mentioned.
She said after a thorough scrutiny and evaluation, nine stories emerged and five stories from journalists were nominated to the final stage. Madam Taylor furthered that amongst the five journalists shortlisted, three made it to the final rounds of the competition namely Patricia Sia Ngevao, Cecilia Alice Sesay and Mohamed Sahr.
Joshua Nicol, Chairman for the Evaluation Committee thanked all the participants for the relentless efforts in amplifying minority rights issues within the course of the competition. “We hope that next year we will attract more participants to showcase their writing and reporting skills when it comes to inclusive minority issues,” Mr. Nicol said.
Dr. Victor Massaquoi, Chairperson of Independent Media Commission felt happy for the outstanding performance of the selected journalists; adding that the contents of their works defined prosperous hope in the country’s media landscape. He said IMC and Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) would ensure to develop journalists in their diverse beats with respect to creating more opportunities. “We are looking forward to more profound contents in the coming years through this project,” Dr. Massaquoi affirmed.
Ahmed Nasralla, President of Sierra Leone Association of Journalists thanked MRCG-SL and partners for hosting the first episode of the National Inclusive and Anti-Conflict Competition in the country. He encouraged other participants who did not make it to the top three to keep trying.
Patricia Sia Ngevao, winner of the National Inclusive and Anti-Conflict Competition said the recognition was not just a personal achievement but an achievement for the media institutions in Sierra Leone. She noted that the award is a proof of the power of collective efforts and shared commitment to creating a better world for all.
She expressed her gratitude to MRCG-SL and MRGI for staging such event in order to recognize the importance of inclusivity and the efforts to promote peace and perfect coexistence regardless of sentiments, region and tribe. “I am truly honoured to be in the company of so many remarkable individuals and organizations who have dedicated their lives to this noble course,” Ngevao said.
