Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen, Editor-in-Chief of ApexnewsGh.com, has been honoured as the 2025 Best Health Reporter at the 5th Upper East Regional Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards.
Mr. Ngamegbulam, who had earlier been nominated for the prestigious regional awards, was recognised for his outstanding contribution to health journalism, particularly his commitment to telling stories that highlight the challenges confronting vulnerable and marginalised communities.
His award-winning entry was a documentary titled “Pains of the Forgotten: Leprosy, Stigma, and Resilience in Ghana,” an investigative and human-interest documentary that exposed the struggles, stigma and challenges faced by persons living with leprosy in the Upper East Region.
The documentary explored leprosy as one of humanity’s oldest known diseases, while drawing attention to its continuing impact on communities despite advances in medical science.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 188 countries and territories reported a combined 172,717 new cases of leprosy in the year referenced by the documentary.
However, the documentary highlighted that while leprosy remains a global health concern, its impact is particularly profound in vulnerable communities, including parts of Ghana’s Upper East Region.
Communities in Bongo, Talensi, Nabdam and other districts continue to confront the disease and its associated social consequences.
In Bongo District, where the population is slightly above 120,000, the documentary established that 57 cases were officially recorded between 2019 and September 2025. It also raised concerns that the actual number could be higher because of fear, stigma, misinformation and reluctance among some affected persons to seek medical attention.
Beyond leprosy, the documentary placed the issue within the wider challenge of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Ghana. These diseases disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, often deepening poverty, social exclusion and inequality.
The production, which received significant attention, was sponsored by the Development Research and Advocacy Centre (DRAC), a non-profit and non-state institution committed to research, training and advocacy towards sustainable development in Ghana, particularly within the savanna ecological zone.
Speaking to journalists and bloggers after the awards ceremony, Mr. Ngamegbulam expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the event and commended the Upper East Regional GJA leadership, led by Regional Chairman Albert Sore, for what he described as a well-organised awards process.
He also praised the Awards Vetting Committee for what he considered a thorough vetting exercise.
Mr. Ngamegbulam said the recognition was particularly significant because it reflected years of consistency and dedication to journalism and public-interest reporting.
Since the establishment of ApexnewsGh.com in 2020, he said, the platform has remained committed to producing stories that draw attention to issues affecting communities and contribute to public discourse on development in the Upper East Region.
The recognition also adds to his record of awards and nominations in journalism since 2019, reflecting his involvement in different areas of media practice.
Mr. Ngamegbulam also expressed special appreciation to the management of WORD FM, a community radio station in the region, for supporting the documentary and providing an opportunity for the production to be aired on its network.
He noted that such partnerships between journalists and media organisations were important in ensuring that public-interest stories reached wider audiences.
The awards ceremony brought together prominent personalities from the Upper East Region and beyond, including Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari, Regional Director of Health Services; Bolgatanga Central Member of Parliament, Hon. Isaac Adongo; Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak; Bongo Member of Parliament, Lawyer Charles Bawa Dua; the Baare Chief; and a representative of the Upper East Regional Minister, among other dignitaries.
The event provided an opportunity to recognise journalists whose work has contributed to public awareness, accountability, development and social change across the region.
Sponsors and Partners
The 5th Upper East Regional GJA Awards received support from a number of organisations and institutions.
Headline Sponsors:
Lesken Enterprise Ltd
MyTurn Limited
KacStone Records
Main Sponsors:
PAGA Youth Movement
NorthLite Solar
Category Sponsors:
ActionAid Ghana
Afrikids Ghana
NABOCADO
Endswell Pharmacy
MTN
Partners:
Alafia
WaterAid Ghana
Widows and Orphans Movement
Ghana Tourism Authority
Ghana Hotels Association – Upper East Region
AquaBolg Natural Water
The recognition of Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen as Best Health Reporter underscores the growing importance of health journalism that goes beyond reporting statistics to document the lived experiences of vulnerable people and bring overlooked public-health challenges into the national conversation.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com