Accra, May 26, GNA - Mr Kofi Akpabli, a freelance journalist left Accra on Tuesday to Kampala, Uganda for the CNN Multichoice African Journalists Award programme.

Mr Akpabli, the only Ghanaian journalist short listed among the finalists for 2010 Competition submitted articles published by the Daily Graphic on Ghanaian cuisine and traditional houses of Northern Ghana. A release issued by Mr Akpabli and copied to Ghana News Agency, said the winners would be announced at an Award Ceremony and Gala Evening in Kampala on Saturday, May 29.

This year the competition received entries from 975 journalists from 40 countries throughout the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa. While in Kampala, Mr Akpabli would join 26 other contestants from 15 countries.

The finalists programme includes workshops, media forum, and networking meetings.

Commenting on this year's event, Tony Maddox, Executive Vice-President and Managing Director of CNN International said: "As CNN encourages, promotes and recognises excellence in journalism at all levels, we are particularly pleased to be able to support journalists who represent our future." Mr Akpabli has been a freelance journalist since 2001. His special areas include tourism, culture and the environment. His news commentaries have also been broadcasted by Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. In September 2007, Akpabli won an environmental award and was invited to UN Headquarters, New York to cover the non-governmental organisation Summit on climate change. In March 2002, his feature article on the socio-cultural importance of the Baobab tree in Northern Ghana received an award from the International Federation of Environmental Journalists. Mr Akpabli is a graduate of School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana, Legon.