The Africa Radio Awards are being judged in two stages with the continent divided into three regions: Eastern, Western and Southern.

The regional judging phase took place in February where finalists were selected in Accra (Western), Dar es Salaam (Eastern) and Johannesburg (Southern).

The three regional judging panels were made up of individuals chosen for their passion for radio, their knowledge of the region as well as their interest in the values these awards embody - rewarding hard work, excellence and courage.

Three lucky listeners were chosen as winners of the Network Africa competition How Radio Changed My World to join the regional judging panels. These Listener Judges are: Sarah Simons (Kenya), Zandile Tshabalala (Swaziland) and Selase Kwawu (Ghana).

Tido Mhando, Managing Director, Tanzania Broadcasting Services, Professor Dora Akunyili, Director General of the Nigeria National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and Ferial Haffajee, Editor of the South African newspaper Mail & Guardian chaired the Eastern, Western and Southern Africa judging panels respectively.

The winning regional entries now go forward for the overall prize which will be announced at a ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya in May 2007.

A separate judging panel, including the chairs from the regional judging panels will chose the overall winners.