Winners of the Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon Scholarship: Joseph Kahongo and Ange Joël Agbla rewarded for their talent and commitment
Ten years ago today, our colleagues Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon lost their lives during a mission in Kidal, in the north of Mali. As a tribute to their memory and their passion for journalism, the Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon Scholarship was created to support and encourage young African professionals in this field.
This year, the names of the winners of this prestigious scholarship were revealed during a ceremony held in Abidjan. Joseph Kahongo, Congolese journalist, won the prize in the journalist category while Beninese technician Ange Joël Agbla was rewarded in his category.
Joseph Kahongo, aged 27, holds a degree in journalism from the University of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He currently works as a journalist, presenter and reporter at Malaika radio and television, in Lubumbashi. His award-winning report focused on the consumption of “Gaddafi cocktails”, a dangerous mixture of alcohol and drugs in Ivory Coast. His work was praised by the jury for its progression in reporting and its professional rigor.
Ange Joël Agbla, aged 23, is originally from Benin and works as a technician at Radio Univers in Abomey-Calavi. His award-winning report explored a chicken farm and the working conditions of the employees. The jury particularly appreciated the quality of the mixing and the immersion of the listeners in the atmosphere of the breeding.
The two winners will benefit from four weeks of training in Paris, fully supported, during the first quarter of 2024. This training will allow them to perfect their skills and continue to honor the memory of Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon, who been passionate professionals until the end.
The Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon Scholarship received more than 300 applications this year, demonstrating the interest and talent of young African professionals in the field of journalism. This tenth edition of the Stock Exchange, open to French-speaking African countries, took place in Ivory Coast and brought together candidates from 12 different countries.
This scholarship is an opportunity to highlight promising talents and to recall the importance of journalism in society. Congratulations to Joseph Kahongo and Ange Joël Agbla for their accomplishments and their commitment to the profession. We look forward to seeing their future achievements and their contribution to journalistic excellence in Africa.