Journalists from across the African continent, under the umbrella of the Pan African Agricultural Journalists (PAAJ), have elected Abdallah el-Kurebe, the Editor-in-Chief of ASHENEWS, as their new President.
El-Kurebe, a seasoned journalist with a strong background in agricultural reporting, emerged unopposed in the election, reflecting broad confidence in his leadership. Alongside him, Beene Mujala of Zambia was elected as Treasurer, while Amadou Jallow of Gambia assumed the role of Assistant Secretary.
Announcing the election results, the Chairman of the PAAJ Electoral Committee, Dawda Bayo, declared that Jean Baptiste Musabyimana of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) defeated Somalia’s Daud Abdi Daud to become Vice President, while Pojoley Essonana of Togo edged out Uganda’s Williams Moi to secure the position of Secretary-General.
Before ascending to the presidency, El-Kurebe served as PAAJ’s Vice President from 2022 to 2024 and later stepped in as Acting President from October 2024 to February 2025 following the resignation of his predecessor, Jefferson Massah. His tenure in these roles showcased his commitment to strengthening agricultural journalism across Africa, promoting collaboration, and advocating for greater media engagement in food security and climate resilience.
As the founder of ASHENEWS, a media platform specializing in agriculture, science, health, and environmental reporting, El-Kurebe has distinguished himself as a multiple award-winning journalist with a track record of impactful storytelling. He is also the Registrar of the Society of Digital Newspaper Owners of Nigeria (SDNON), further underscoring his influence in media leadership and digital journalism advocacy.
The newly elected PAAJ executive team is expected to steer the association towards greater regional integration, professional development, and enhanced coverage of agricultural policies, innovations, and challenges affecting the African continent.
