Opoku Gakpo is a Cornell University fellow, winner of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists' Star Prize, winner of the MTN Heroes of Change Award and three-time winner of the Ghana Journalists Association Award in agriculture, sustainable development goals and poverty reduction reporting.
With more than a decade of experience working as an environmental, agriculture and rural development journalist, Opoku Gakpo has produced documentaries and other content for radio, television and online platforms. He specializes in science communication and development communication and has produced audio-visual documentaries on various subjects for media broadcast, conducted more than 5,000 radio and television interviews and published approximately 1,000 articles online and in print media.
The IFAJ-Alltech International Award for Leadership in Agricultural Journalism honors Alltech's late founder, Dr. Pearse Lyons, who was a passionate storyteller with a great respect for agricultural journalists. The award complements the young leader program that Alltech co-founded with IFAJ in 2005, which supports mentorship and education.
"Alltech has long recognized and supported agricultural journalists' role in mobilizing knowledge to farmers around the world," said IFAJ president Owen Roberts. “Alltech's commitment to professional development for agricultural journalists directly benefits farmers by enhancing those skills that producers look to for balanced, evidence-based information that can help them be profitable, knowledgeable and sustainable.”
The IFAJ-Alltech International Award for Leadership in Agricultural Journalism aligns with Alltech's vision for a Planet of PlentyTM, in which a world of abundance is made possible through the adoption of new technologies, better farm management practices and human ingenuity.
“Now, more than ever, it is important to give a voice to agriculture and the food supply chain to communicate factual information to the world,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “Through our continued partnership with the IFAJ, we are able to support future leaders in agricultural journalism who are passionate about connecting our industry to a global audience.”
