Ms Loretta Vanderpuye, a journalist of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation has won the Environment Category of this year's CNN African Journalists Award competition, with her story "Dangers of Exhaust Emission."

The top prize of the CNN Journalist of the year, however, went to Susan Puren from "Carte Blanche' of MNET/DSTV, South Africa. A CNN release issued in Accra on Thursday said Puren was chosen from among entrants from 26 countries across the Africa for her story, 'China, war Child."

It Stated that the Chairperson of the judging Panel, Dr Doyinsola Abiola, said the judges were unanimous in awarding Puren the top prize because her entry demonstrated a level of journalistic excellence and integrity, which all the judges felt deserved the highest recognition. "Puren's work, along with that of all the finalists demonstrates the sheer strength and quality of African Journalism. Each and everyone of the finalists should stand proud of their work," Dr Abiola added.

The release said Eason Jordan, Chief News Executive and Newsgathering President of the CNN News Group, mentioned that the winners represented the best journalism in Africa. "CNN has always been dedicated to encouraging freedom of speech and maintaining journalistic integrity. We are delighted to see this competition continue to nurture such a diverse range of talent from an ever increasing number of African nations," he said.

The overall CNN Journalist of the year receives a trip to CNN Centre, Atlanta, with complimentary flights courtesy of South African Airlines and a cash prize, in addition to the prize awarded to all categories of winners, which consisted of a laptop, modem and printer and a cash prize. The CNN holds the annual competition, which is now in its seventh year in partnership with South African Broadcasting Corporation. There were also awards for Sports, Business and Commerce, Art and Culture and Health.