Chernor Mustapha Thoronka is of the Apex Multi – media Co-op in Sierra Leone.
He is a film maker with years of experience in making impactful documentaries and investigative journalism for local , national and global audiences.
Directing, producing, story writing, shooting, editing among others, Thoronka has worked with DW, BBC Arab Emirates, PFP and other international media outfits where the reporter strived to inspire, educate and provoke thought among audiences both locally and globally.
He was once engaged by Emery University in Georgia, USA to translate and capture over 20 hours of interviewed footage for the institution’s Library, Directory of Photography BBC African Eye from 2019- 2022 and Lead Camera Operator and Editor Purple Field Production UK from 2018 to Date.
Thoronka is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in the Art of Mass Communication, Radio and Tv broadcasting at the University of Makeni, Sierra Leone.
Drawing his experience from his grandmother who died of diabetes coupled with his passion for using Art to address social issues and create positive change in his country, led to his story titled ” Diabetes In Sierra Leone (Help for Hawa)
Diabetes is a growing problem in Sierra Leone where most sufferers are either stigmatized or considered carrying death sentence amid lack of life-saving insulin.
The film explores the issue through those living with the condition as well as the Sierra Leoneans trying to find solution.
During his investigation, the Reporter discovered the main problems to include little knowledge about diabetes, misinformation, lack of proper medical care, little or no access to the insulin, poverty and no culture of preventive care.
By building his story round Hawa, a case study, Thoronka has drawn the attention to the diabetes as a major health challenge in Sierra Leone which is decimating a large number of people in that country and possible solutions.
The topic was aptly captured, report comprehensive and further complimented by good camera work.
From the foregoing, Chernor Mustapha Thoronka, has demonstrated the best practice in Journalism and hereby declared
2022 AMDF JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR. Congratulations.
