Former CNN Chief, Chris Cramer, will be non-executive chairman of pan-African news channel

The former head of CNN, Chris Cramer, will be taking a pivotal role in the launch of a pan-African news channel, A24, by becoming its non-executive chairman.

London, Sept 11 : The former head of CNN, Chris Cramer, will be taking a pivotal role in the launch of a pan-African news channel, A24, by becoming its non-executive chairman.

The announcement was made today by A24 chairman and founder Salim Amin.

"The respected global media executive, who promoted coverage of Africa across CNN's programmes and channels, will become non-executive chairman of A24's Editorial Advisory Board once the channel gets start-up funding," said a press statement.

A24, is due to be launched next year, and is aimed to encourage intra-African dialogue by presenting relevant stories, told by African journalists, going beyond the norm of disease, poverty, and corruption.

"Instead, A24 will explore investment, development, and trade, among other subjects -- areas frequently ignored by the world's media. A24's programming will create economic opportunity and promote freedom and transparency among African nations by painting a new, exciting, picture of the continent," a handout released by the channel claims.

"I am delighted that Chris had agreed to become part of Africa's most exciting media project," Amin said, adding: "Putting his experience with the BBC and, more recently CNN, to use for the African continent will help make A24 the African broadcast news leader.

"He has always been a strong advocate of African journalism and A24 will turn many of our mutual aspirations into reality," he further added.

Amin, himself has worked with Cramer for more than a decade, and was awarded several awards for his winning documentary, "Mo and Me".

"This is a bold and exciting venture and I'm happy to give it my support. What the continent needs is to have its own voice and A24, as conceived, will deliver that," said Cramer, who retired from CNN earlier this year after running its international services for eleven years.

ANI