Ghanaian Times’ Jonathan Donkor adjudged Merck Foundation “More than a Mother” first prize winner

Ghanaian Times Journalist, Mr Jonathan Donkor been has been adjudged first prize winner of the Merck Foundation “More than a Mother” Africa Media Recognition award.

The Accra-base journalist, came first in the print category with his story titled “Azoorspermia; the spermless journey to fatherhood” a feature article which throws light on Azoorspermia, a medical condition that prevents men from fathering children.

In the article, Mr Donkor shared a touching story of a taxi driver who suffers from the condition, the stigma suffered by him and his wife, their ordeal in seeking help from so called men of God as well as possible medical solutions to the condition, said to be a leading cause of male infertility in the world and found in five to 10 per cent of men diagnosed with infertility.

For his prize, Mr Donkor took home a medal, certificate and a cash prize.

Mr Jonathan Donkor receiving his prize from the First Lady of Ghana, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo

Merck Foundation More than a Mother

The Merck Foundation “More than a Mother” award scheme seeks to recognize African Journalists who have produced accurate, informative and compelling stories about infertility to  help raise awareness about and eradicate infertility stigma in African societies.

It also part of the broader  “More than a Mother” campaign initiated by the Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Merck, a German multinational pharmaceutical company in partnership with African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information, Education & Gender, academia, policymakers, International fertility societies, media and art to empower infertile women through access to information, education and change of mindset.

I feel elated helping break infertility stigma in Africa

Speaking to GhanaPlus.com, Mr Donkor said he was happy to be able to help shape society’s perception about infertility through his work as a journalist.

He said as a member of the Fourth Estate, his duty requires him to make positive impact in the live of citizens and the society in general adding “if  doing so comes with recognition such as the award, all the better”.

“I feel elated helping to break the infertility stigma in Africa through my work. Our work as journalists is to impact society positively and doing so comes with recognition such as the award, all the better”.

End stigma against childless couple

Mr Donkor called for an end to stigmatization against childless couple and advised society to rally behind them with support instead in their quest to have children of the own.

“We should not stigmatize but rather support childless couple through their search for the fruit of the womb,” he said.

Source: GhanaPlus.com