Miss Jennifer Ambolley, a journalist with The Chronicle Newspaper has been honoured with the first prize in the prestigious Merck Foundation Award for “Diabetes and Hypertension” category for the year 2023.
She was presented the award by the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, together with the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Merck Foundation, Dr. Rasha Kelej and the Chairman of Merck Foundation, Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, during an official ceremony in Accra on Friday, 24th May, 2024.
This recognition highlights her exceptional dedication and commitment to raising awareness about two critical health issues that affect millions of people worldwide.
Through insightful reporting and in-depth analysis, Miss Jennifer Ambolley shed light on the challenges faced by individuals living with Diabetes and Hypertension, as well as the latest advancements in treatment and management.
The Chronicle reporter triumphed in the competitive print category for English-Speaking West African countries, which also honoured over 50 other exceptional winners, hailing from more than 20 nations, including Nigeria, Togo, Angola, Burundi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia.
The prestigious Merck Foundation Award is known for honouring individuals who have made significant contributions to healthcare journalism and Miss Ambolley’s achievement is a testament to their outstanding work in the field.
Upon receiving the award, Miss Jennifer Ambolley expressed her gratitude for the recognition and emphasised the importance of continuing to educate the public about these prevalent health conditions.
“I am truly honoured to receive this award from the Merck Foundation,” she said. “I believe that through journalism, we can make a real difference in the lives of those affected by Diabetes and Hypertension,” she added.
Dr. Senator Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation, underscored the unwavering commitment to excellence in the selection process, emphasising the rigorous evaluation of each submission to ensure commendable standards.
Dr. Kelej commended the winners for their outstanding contributions and urged them to persist in their efforts toward advancing the empowerment of women and girls, not only within their national borders but across Africa and beyond.
“We are immensely proud of you. Your comprehensive coverage of issues affecting girls and women, including infertility stigma, harmful cultural practices, and the promotion of girl child education, among others, is commendable,” stated the Merck Foundation CEO.
She encouraged the Awardees to leverage the recognition as a catalyst for further advocacy and action, emphasising the importance of ongoing efforts to address gender-related challenges.
The First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo also congratulated the winners and urged them to continue to use their voice and platform to advocate for good health.
The Merck Foundation operates as an international organisation dedicated to advancing women’s causes across Africa, championing various advocacy campaigns and initiatives.
