Accra: Mr. Albert Oppong-Ansah, an Editor with Ghana News Agency (GNA), has been named a recipient of the 2025 Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications.
According to Ghana News Agency, the prestigious international honour, presented in partnership with the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, celebrates individuals and teams who demonstrate outstanding talent in communicating science in ways that are accessible, engaging, and impactful to broad audiences.
Mr. Oppong-Ansah, who heads the Environment, Science, Energy, and Agriculture Desk at the GNA, was recognised for his exceptional storytelling that connects scientific research, environmental policy, and human experiences. His selection places him among a distinguished group of global science communicators committed to bridging the gap between science and society.
Among his most notable recent pieces are: 'Air pollution in slums sickening children; harming brain development' - an investigative feature that revealed how toxic air in urban informal settlements exposes children to long-term respiratory and cognitive harm, drawing attention to Ghana's weak urban air quality monitoring systems. 'Ghana's old polluting cars are 'killing people silently' - experts' - a story that unpacked scientific findings on vehicular emissions, linking poor transport policy and aging fleets to rising respiratory illnesses and premature deaths, particularly in Accra. These works highlight his ability to translate complex environmental data into compelling human stories that inspire dialogue and policy reflection.
'As chair of the selection committee, I am absolutely thrilled to celebrate this year's honorees, whose creativity and clarity make science, engineering, and medicine tangible for people everywhere,' said selection committee chair Megan L. Ranney, a member of the National Academy of Medicine and dean of the Yale School of Public Health. 'These outstanding communicators remind us that knowledge becomes powerful when it is shared. By reaching across disciplines, mediums, and communities, they not only inform but also inspire, helping all of us see how science shapes our daily lives and our shared future. It is a privilege to recognize their work, and I look forward to the new ways they will spark curiosity and connection in the years ahead.'
'Science offers hope for a better future for all of us,' said National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt. 'However, to fully reap the benefits of discovery and innovation, it's more important than ever to invite as many people as possible into science. Our outstanding award winners are meeting diverse audiences where they are and empowering them to make informed decisions for themselves and their communities. I am delighted to honor these exemplary communicators with these awards.'
'Science communication can make the difference between understanding and incomprehension, between misinformation and truth, and in matters of health, between life and death,' said Wendy Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Sciences. 'When both science and journalism are struggling from loss of funding and talent, it becomes ever more important to support insightful, dogged storytellers like today's winners in their efforts to lead us toward knowledge and the power that comes with it.'
Mr. Oppong-Ansah has more than five national awards to his credit, from organisations including the Ghana Journalists Association and Nuclear Regulatory Authority. He described the new honour as a recognition not only of his personal work but of the growing role of African journalists in promoting science and environmental literacy.
'This award is a huge encouragement, not just for me, but for all journalists in Ghana and Africa who work tirelessly to make science and environment reporting matter to the public,' he said. 'It reminds us that science communication can change how societies think, act, and plan for a better future.'
He expressed gratitude to the management of the Ghana News Agency, New Narratives, Afri-SET, his mentors, collaborators, and scientists whose openness and expertise have supported his storytelling journey. The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards, part of the Schmidt Futures initiative, honour exceptional communicators who use evidence-based storytelling to expand public understanding of science and its relevance to everyday life.
