Janko, who works with West African Democracy Radio (WADR) based in Senegal, was among 12 journalists honoured at the inaugural ECOWAS Media Excellence Awards held in Banjul. His recognition in the radio category brought pride to the host country and marked a significant milestone in The Gambia’s growing presence in regional journalism.
“To say I am happy is an understatement,” Janko told The Point in an interview shortly after receiving his award. “As journalists, our work often goes unnoticed, so to be recognized by an institution like ECOWAS is massive. Hopefully, one day I will tell my grandchildren I was the first winner in this category.”
Janko’s award-winning entry focused on the aftermath of the 2022 floods in The Gambia, highlighting the impact of ECOWAS humanitarian support to affected communities in the North Bank Region (NBR), Kanifing Municipality (KM), and West Coast Region (WCR). The piece offered a compelling look at the intersection of climate disaster, community resilience, and regional solidarity.
Though still early in his career, Janko has already built a reputation as one of The Gambia’s most dynamic young journalists. Before joining WADR, he worked with several prominent media outlets, including West Coast Radio, Unique FM, Block TV and The Point newspaper. He also served as a correspondent for Deutsche Welle (DW), further cementing his role in international journalism.
His award comes at a historic moment, as The Gambia hosted the ECOWAS Media Excellence Awards for the first time, a testament to the country’s improved press freedom and growing role in regional discourse.
Janko’s recognition not only celebrates his journalistic excellence but also symbolises the rising impact of Gambian media voices in shaping narratives across West Africa.
