By: Anamati Inyang
Anas Aremeyaw Anas is one of Africa’s best undercover journalists and activists, exposing the dark side of governance and holding leaders accountable to the people.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas, a renowned investigative reporter, and photojournalists Muntaka Chasant and Bénédicte Kurzen have clinched the coveted 13th edition of the Carmignac Journalism Award in France.
Dedicated to shedding light on the ecological and human challenges associated with the trans-boundary flow of electronic waste in Ghana, the trio spent nearly a year documenting the intricate and often ambiguous ecosystem of e-waste.This crucial economic opportunity for thousands of people in Ghana also carries significant human and environmental consequences. Combining both a national and international perspective, the team delved into the ramifications of e-waste trafficking between Europe and Ghana, exposing the opacity of this globalised cycle.
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The Carmignac Foundation, the award organizers, emphasized their departure from the stereotypical portrayal of Ghana as the “dustbin of the world.” The team’s extensive documentation aimed at unraveling the complexities of the e-waste ecosystem challenged prevailing narratives.
Ghana’s best investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas at the Carmignac Journalism Award in France.
“Moving away from the stereotype portrayal of Ghana as the dustbin of the world, they would spend months documenting the complex e-waste ecosystem. Combining a national and international approach, the trio would study the ramifications of e-waste trafficking between Europe and Ghana, revealing the opacity of this globalized circuit,” highlighted the Carmignac Foundation.
The announcement of the award took place at the Visa pour l’Image international photojournalism festival in Perpignan, Southern France, drawing attention to the gravity of the issue. Anas Aremeyaw Anas expressed his honor at winning the award and noted that it would provide the team with the opportunity to delve even deeper into the ecosystem of e-waste in Africa.
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Muntaka Chasant underlined that the investigation would not only expose the human and environmental costs of informal e-waste practices but also highlight how the secondary raw materials extracted contain critical minerals crucial to Ghana’s green transition. Benedict Kurzen also shared her happiness at winning the award.
The Carmignac Journalism Award has once again recognized and rewarded impactful journalism that goes beyond borders to address pressing global issues. The winning team’s work promises to contribute significantly to raising awareness about the global e-waste trade and its far-reaching consequences. Stay tuned for further updates on their groundbreaking investigation.
