Author: Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee || Freelancer
Skilled Ghanaian journalist with over 10 years experience in media and communication, Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee, has won an international award from the esteemed Merck Foundation.
She came third in the whole of West Africa (English-speaking countries) in the online category of the reputable Merck “More Than A Mother” award scheme.
The award comes with a medal, cash prize, online masterclass, and the privilege to become a Merck Foundation alumnus.
An event was held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, by Merck Foundation to announce the winners and the prizes.
In all, 84 media professionals from all over Africa were awarded. They included journalists from East Africa, West Africa, and South Africa.
These are also journalists who speak either English, French, or Portuguese.
The story that won Emelia Aryee the award is about a teenager who almost ended up being married off by the family because she got pregnant.
Emelia’s swift intervention adjusted the family’s thinking and decision, and, in the end, the teenager returned to school after delivery. This is a story she is still pursing with her personal resources. Read that story here: https://amaghanaonline.com/2022/10/26/ending-child-marriage-17-year-old-mother-beatrice-kenyos-narrow-escape-breastfeeding-during-bece-and-the-future/
In an interview with Emelia Aryee, the vibrant journalist with so much passion for women and children (particularly the girl-child) affairs, expressed her profound joy over the achievement.
She noted that it was her first award as a journalist, and this means so much to her.
“What makes me especially thrilled and grateful for the award is that it was my first attempt at participating in an award and I won it. When I saw the call for application, I told myself “Let me try and see”, she recounted happily.
“I have received many congratulatory messages and calls from family and friends all over social media, and this tells me my work as a journalist is being recognized. I’m truly humbled for this honour, and I thank Merck Foundation, Emelia added.
She disclosed that the award will spur her on to go produce more of such human-centered stories to cause a positive change in the society.
Emelia has worked with a number of media organizations in Ghana. She has also received trainings both locally and internationally relating to her job.
She has an uncountable number of articles to her credit. These articles bother on empowering women, promoting the girl-child, security, culture, and entertainment.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej, could not hide her joy at the event to announce the winners.
She was full of praise for the awardees and said her outfit was ready to collaborate with them in their pursuit of effecting positive change where they find themselves in the society.
Dr. Kelej advised the award winners not to stop with this recognition, but to continue to write more about issues affecting women and the girl child.
To her, the many articles that highlight the breaking of stigma against infertility, promoting good health, preventing child marriages, and rather promoting education for the girl child, are in line with Merck Foundation’s core values.
She pledged Merck Foundation’s support to help make the world a better place for women and girls- for instance, a world where women would no longer be mocked if a marriage delays or fails to produce children.
