The Dagbani Wikimedia User Group has awarded 11 outstanding Wikimedians for their exceptional edits, article creation and contributions across various languages in 2024.

The honourees represent a diverse range of communities, including the Dagbani Wikimedia User Group, Kusaal Wikimedia Community, Gurene Wikimedia Community, and Dagaare Wikimedia Community.

Among the awardees, Regina Poasana (Kusaal), Amina Alhassan (Dagbani), Kolog Savelen (Gurene), and Umar Asiya (Dagaare) were named the Best Female Contributors, with Umar Asiya emerging as the Overall Best Female Contributor for the communities.

The Best Newbie Contributor awards were presented to Abande Roger Ndeego (Kusaal), Yakubu Adallah (Dagbani), and Damasus Domokyaare (Dagaare), with Abande Roger Ndeego (Kusaal) being honored as the Overall Newbie of the Year for his outstanding contributions.

In the Best Wikimedian of the Year category, Awande Moses (Kusaal), Issahaku Tidoo Abass (Dagbani), Joel Akolgo Akonyuure (Gurene), and Anthony Dery (Dagaare) were recognised for their exceptional work. The Overall Best Wikimedian of the Year award was given to Issahaku Tidoo Abass (Dagbani) for his outstanding contributions.

All the winners were presented with certificates of recognition for their outstanding contributions. In addition to the certificates, the overall winners would be awarded smartphones to assist them in their article creation and editing efforts. The Overall Best Wikimedian of the Year would be given a tablet as part of their recognition, further supporting their work in enhancing content and contributing to the Wikimedia community.

The awards celebrate the hard work and dedication of Wikimedians of these communities who have contributed significantly to the Wikimedia movement, particularly within the Kusaal, Dagbani, Gurene, and Dagaare communities.

The awardees expressed their gratitude for the recognition and promised to continue their efforts in the coming years. They have also promised to work even harder to ensure the Mabia language communities make significant strides on the internet, fostering greater growth and visibility online.

Madam Asiya expressed her gratitude for the recognition, saying it made her feel proud and motivated to contribute even more to Wikimedia. As a female who emerged victorious over her peers, she acknowledged that this achievement would bring even greater challenges in the coming year.

"I know other females will strive to surpass me, but I will also work hard to retain this position and even aim for a higher one," she stated, determined to continue her efforts and set new standards.

 “I’m encouraged to do more to challenge the guys who were at the top.”

Issahaku, who was honoured as the Overall Best Wikimedian, expressed his commitment to contributing to Wikipedia, particularly in preserving the Dagbani language.

He emphasised that his goal is to document the Dagbani language on Wikipedia to ensure its preservation for the benefit of future generations.

"I am always ready to contribute and to make sure that Dagbani is well-represented online for the betterment of those who will come after us," he said.

The Executive Director of the Dagbani Wikimedia User Group, Sadik Shahadu, urged community leaders to place greater emphasis on their projects to enhance the quality of their work.

He encouraged them to take a more proactive approach in driving initiatives that would foster growth and development within their respective language communities.

 “That’s why we have empowered various communities to take leadership roles and support their communities more effectively,” he said.

He further stated that the group will continue to organise capacity-building trainings and retreats for its members. These initiatives aim to ensure that members are well-organised and equipped with the necessary skills, while also providing refresher training for both experienced members and newcomers.

The Chairman of the Dagbani Wikimedia User Group Advisory Board, Iddrisu Alhassan Sibdoo, highlighted that Wikimedia activities are voluntary and do not offer financial rewards, but they come with significant benefits.

He explained that volunteers from various language backgrounds are laying the foundation for their languages on the internet, ensuring their preservation and accessibility for future generations.

Mr. Sibdoo also emphasised that the spirit of volunteerism inherent in Wikimedia activities brings great satisfaction to those who dedicate their time and energy to the cause. "Even if we are not receiving anything else, we are gaining satisfaction," he said.

He encouraged the communities to engage other Mabia language groups to join in the effort, fostering the growth and expansion of the language base. "Let's expand the base in terms of language groups," he urged, calling for more collaboration to ensure broader representation and inclusion.