Gashegu Muramira, a journalist with The New Times, was announced among the recipients of the 2024 Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Media Excellence Award on Thursday, October 9.

The awardees were announced during the COMESA Heads of State Summit in Nairobi, Kenya.

Gashegu emerged as the best in the print and online category for an article published in The New Times in December 2023. It is about regional efforts to end plastic pollution.

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Other award winners included Nkombo Kachemba from Zambia, Remy Rukundo and Ralisa Inamahoro from Burundi, who won in the radio and television categories, respectively.

"Gashegu’s article was relevant, informative, and well-presented and no doubt contributed immensely to promoting awareness of the benefits and impact of the COMESA regional integration agenda,” Mwangi Gakunga, outgoing head of communications at COMESA Secretariat, wrote in a citation.

"The article not only underscores Gashegu’s ability to present relevant and impactful content but also serves as an inspiration to stakeholders and citizens across the region,” he said.

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The COMESA media award scheme is conducted every year to recognize and reward journalists who have contributed to regional integration by publishing and producing broadcast stories on the subject.

"I receive this award with a deep sense of gratitude," said Gashegu. "I dedicate it to all those who work everybody to ensure Africa favorably competes economically with other developed continents. I encourage fellow journalists to also spare time and focus on areas like integration and trade that will fast-track the development we need in Africa.”

The objective of the COMESA Media Excellence Award is to promote reporting on regional integration projects, raising public awareness, understanding, participation and ownership.