SMK Campaigner Award: Ghanaian journalist wins international award for water and sanitation campaign

Updated - Wednesday 18 November 2009

A Ghanaian journalist and human rights campaigner has won a British award for his water and sanitation campaign. Humanitarian and former envoy for the Church of England Terry Waite presented the 2009 SMK Campaigner Award in the international category to Raphael Ahenun on 17 September 2009.

Mr. Ahenu is campaigning for clean water and sanitation facilities to be provided to 100 communities, schools and hospitals in the Brong-Ahafo and Ashanti regions of Ghana by 2015. Through radio talk shows and other publicity methods he mobilises rural communities to demand their rights to such facilities.

Mr. Ahenu is CEO of African Media Aid (AFRIMA) based in Sunyani. He launched his “Access to Clean Water and Sanitation” campaign on 25 September 2009 at Odumase in the Sunyani West District of the Brong-Ahafo Region. Starting in 2010, AFRIMA and Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF) will be presenting Sanitation and Hygiene Awards to recognise outstanding achievements in this area by organisations, individuals and communities in Ghana.

The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) is a charity set up in 2005 to connect, inform and support campaigners. The winners of the annual SMK awards receive support, advise and training to further develop their campaigns.

Related web site: SMK Awards 2009 - International category

Source: SMK,17 Sep 2009 ; Michael Boateng, The Chronicle / allAfrica.com 25 Sep 2009