An Investigative Journalist of the Crusading Guide, Anas Aremeyaw Anas has been adjudged the first runner-up of the Global Shining Light Award in Canada.

Anas is the first African journalist to win that award. He is presently in Toronto, Canada attending the Global Investigative Journalism Conference. Hundreds of world top investigative journalists are also attending.

He told myjoyonline that the award shows how journalism has gained grounds in Ghana as the main unit keeping watch over the government and other state agencies.

Anas added: “I am so shocked about this award. I did not know that what we do in our little corners could be recognised at the World stage. I take this award for Ghana.”

Present at the awards Gala Night were seasoned international investigative journalists such as Houston Brant of the IRE, Shelley Joffre of BBC/Panorama fame, David Kaplan of US News Report, David Cray of New York Times, Bahal Aniruddha of Cobrapost.com, Armstrong Natalie of Reuters, Sandra Bartlett of CBC Canada, Sunday Dare of VOA, Walt Vivienne of Time Magazine and Serious Samura of Insight News TV.

Paul Christian Radu of Romania the first place winner works for Romanian Centre for Investigative Journalism.

Global Shining Light Award was organised alongside the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) Awards Night to crown the world’s finest investigative journalism in emerging democracies.

The Global Shining Light Award honors journalists from countries in transition for their work, reported under threat, duress or the direst of conditions.