Akam, who is Reuters' correspondent in Sierra Leone, won the category for a feature on the Ugandan government's move to disarm the tribe Karamojong and the impact of this decision on the community.
He was one of two journalism winners in this year's competition selected from more than 400 entries, whittled down to a shortlist of 16 finalists who were sent to a country in the developing world on a trip hosted by an NGO to report on a specific topic.
In the amateur category Libby Powell was named the winner for her feature on street children with disabilities in Sierra Leone.
"If we are to make real progress in addressing the needs of people in developing countries we must communicate globally their plight and highlight how and where aid and support is most needed. One of the most effective ways of doing this is through the media," says Peggy Walters, head of communications at Marie Stopes International, which joint sponsors the competition with GlaxoSmithKline.
"A competition such as this, which gives writers the opportunity to seek out and tell the powerful and emotive stories of people living in these countries, and highlights the efforts and contributions NGOs, governments and donors are making, helps us to understand why international development is so important."
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