Joy News’ Bono East Regional Correspondent, Anass Sabit has won the Future Talent Award at the 2021 Pan-African (Re)Insurance Journalism Awards. 

Future Talent Award requires an exceptional piece of work by a journalist with a bright future ahead.

Anass Sabit won the award for his work which highlighted the plight of people in Atebubu battling the absence of water amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

It captured people travelling for two hours with gallons sometimes on feet or on bicycles to get clean water for their homes. 

Although regular handwashing with soap under running water has been highly recommended by health professionals as far as the prevention of Covid-19 infections is concerned, the people in Atebubu Municipality did not have that luxury.

Reacting to his win, the JoyNews Correspondent stated that he believes the judges saw his passion and drive to make a change in his country through his work.

“For me, you can't be a journalist in Ghana or in Africa if you are not passionate about the profession. I may not be in the position to tell what made the panel choose me, but, I think considering where I go to or the places I visit to bring to light the plight of the people, that I think might have contributed to the panel’s decision to choose me for the Future Talent this year.”

The 6th Pan-African Re/Insurance Journalism Awards, organised by Continental Reinsurance Plc, attracted close to 100 entries across 16 African countries.

Sixty-six entries were shortlisted for an independent jury to select the overall winners. They assessed the entries on set criteria, including raising awareness on a current news story or other noteworthy insurance issues.

The winners will receive an exclusive year-long mentorship to develop their insurance sector reporting skills further. 

This is in addition to cash prizes and invitation to the next Continental Re’s CEO summit.