Freelance journalist Kofi Akpabli, has been awarded the Arts and Culture Award at this year’s CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2011 Awards ceremony. The award was presented by Mwambu Wanendeya, Vice President and Head of Communications, Ericsson sub-Saharan Africa. Kofi, who freelances for the Daily Graphic, Ghana, won for his story ‘What is right with Akpeteshie?’, which was chosen from among 1407 entries from 42 nations across the African continent. By this feat, he has defended the same category he won in Uganda last year. The Awards, which rotate location each year in tribute to their pan-African credentials, were held at a Gala ceremony hosted by CNN and MultiChoice at The Sandton Sun Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday evening. Kim Norgaard, a member of the judging panel, CNN Bureau Chief, South Africa, said: “Kofi Akpabli’s story uses the most enriching and fantastic language to explain why Akpeteshie, a local gin, is the equivalent of a liquid national heritage. Kofi not only educates and enlightens us to the history and best practices of this national beverage – but he also does it with humour and style. A worthy return winner.” Receiving the award, Kofi said that Africa abounds in cultural beauty and that the story of the continent is not only about disease, death, destruction and despair. He dedicated the award to Ghana. The country’s second nominee Portia Solomon of TV3, however lost out to Nigeria’s Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye in the health reporting category. The Awards’ 27 finalists from 13 countries enjoyed an all expenses paid five-day programme of workshops, media forums, networking and had the opportunity to see some of the sights of Johannesburg prior to the Awards Ceremony. Parisa Khosravi, Senior Vice President of International Newsgathering for CNN Worldwide, said: “Tonight’s journalists join an ever-growing community of excellence, each one representing the very best in African journalism. The collective talent celebrated here this evening is a sign of the increasingly assured voice in which Africa is telling its unique and myriad story. I congratulate them all." Collins Khumalo, President MultiChoice Africa, said: “Congratulations to all the 2011 winners, we hope the acknowledgment you’ve received this year will inspire you to continue telling the African story to the world. Although there can only be one overall winner, we’d like to salute each and every journalist that entered. Without your hard work and support, the ongoing development of democracy and diversity of the media across the African continent would not be possible.”