Maltiti Sayida Sadick of GBC Earns Global Recognition at Merck Foundation’s ‘More Than a Mother’ Awards

Maltiti Sayida Sadick, an award-winning journalist with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), has been recognized at the 2025 ‘More Than a Mother’ Media Recognition Awards. Securing third place in Ghana, Sadick was honored for her exceptional reporting on maternal health and the complex social issues affecting vulnerable women and girls across the country. The Merck Foundation initiative highlights journalists who use their platform to challenge social stigmas, inspire policy change, and improve public awareness of critical health concerns through responsible storytelling.

Her award-winning portfolio featured a poignant story concerning the ‘Kayayei’—young female head porters who migrate from Northern Ghana to urban centers for work. The report focused on the harrowing experience of a young woman who gave birth prematurely at a bus terminal in Accra, shedding light on the severe healthcare gaps and economic vulnerabilities faced by internal migrants. Furthermore, Sadick was praised for her feature on KODU Technology, a local initiative dedicated to eradicating period poverty through the production of affordable, locally made sanitary products, thereby supporting health and gender equality.

The awards were announced during a virtual ceremony hosted by Dr. Rasha Kelej, the CEO of the Merck Foundation. In her address, Dr. Kelej emphasized the vital role of the media in promoting public health and empowering women. Following her win, Sadick has been welcomed into the prestigious network of Merck Foundation Media Ambassadors, a group of journalists committed to maintaining ongoing conversations about health awareness, infertility stigma, and women's rights in their respective nations.

This recognition underscores the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s dedication to impactful journalism that amplifies the voices of marginalized communities. By bridging the gap between social reality and policy discourse, Sadick’s work contributes significantly to national development and public health education. The Merck Foundation continues to partner with African journalists to ensure that reproductive health and social justice remain at the forefront of the public agenda, fostering a more inclusive and informed society for all Ghanaians.