The award honours the legacy of Komla Dumor, a distinguished Ghanaian broadcaster and former BBC World News presenter, who died suddenly aged 41 11 years ago.
Dumor’s widow, Kwansema Dumor, said she was “proud” of her husband’s impact at the BBC, and also said her family were “thankful to the BBC for remembering him” through the prize.
The BBC is encouraging journalists from across Africa to apply for the prize, which seeks to promote and celebrate outstanding journalistic talent on the continent.
As well as receiving training, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to travel to a country in Africa to report on a story that they have researched, with the report broadcast to the BBC’s global audiences.
Known for championing robust, dynamic journalism, Dumor made a significant impact on Africa and the rest of the world.
The BBC is committed to continuing his legacy through the award by empowering journalists from Africa to tell original and nuanced African stories to international audiences.
Rukia Bulle from Kenya was last year’s winner.
During her placement, she travelled to a Senegalese village to report on the Baye Fall, an unorthodox Muslim minority who are often misunderstood by others in the wider faith.
Jonathan Munro, BBC News global director and deputy CEO, said: “We are proud to launch this year’s BBC News Komla Dumor award and the search for the next recipient.
“Marking its 10th anniversary is a testament to Komla Dumor’s powerful legacy of reporting on African stories with depth, insight and integrity.
“Past winners of the award reflect the exceptional talent across the continent so I look forward to welcoming this year’s winner and strongly encourage journalists to apply.”
Dumor was the presenter of Focus on Africa, the BBC’s first-ever dedicated daily TV news programme in English for African audiences. It was broadcast on BBC World News, which has now merged with the BBC News Channel to create a single 24-hour TV news service.
He was also one of the lead presenters for BBC World News’ European morning segment.
He joined the BBC in 2007 after a decade of broadcast journalism in his native Ghana where he won the Ghana Journalist of the Year award.
Between 2007 and 2009 he hosted Network Africa on BBC World Service, before joining The World Today programme.
In 2009 Dumor became the first host of the African business news programme on BBC World News, Africa Business Report. He travelled across Africa, meeting Africa’s top entrepreneurs and reporting on the latest business trends around the continent. —BBC
