Paa Kwesi Asare Makes History As First Ghanaian Recipient of BBC News Komla Dumor Award
Richmond Setrana
Posted On August 22, 2023
In a groundbreaking achievement for Ghana’s journalism community, Paa Kwesi Asare, a prominent journalist associated with TV3, has been honoured as the winner of the esteemed 2023 BBC News Komla Dumor Award.
Paa Kwesi’s remarkable contributions to the field of journalism have earned him this prestigious recognition, making him the first Ghanaian to receive the coveted award.
Paa Kwesi Asare’s Remarkable Achievement
Paa Kwesi Asare on TV
Paa Kwesi Asare holds a key role in the Ghanaian media landscape as he oversees the Business Desk at Media General, a leading media organisation in the country.
Notably, he serves as an anchor for TV3’s primary evening newscast at 7 o’clock, and he is also the host of the popular weekly show “Business Focus,” which delves into business and economic analysis.
The Prestigious BBC News Komla Dumor Award
The BBC News Komla Dumor Award was established in 2015 to honour the memory of the renowned Ghanaian journalist Komla Dumor, who made a significant impact as the primary presenter of the show “Focus on Africa.”
This annual award recognises exceptional individuals in Africa who possess a blend of strong journalism skills, a captivating on-air presence, and a remarkable ability to convey African stories.
Furthermore, recipients of the award must demonstrate the ambition and potential to become future stars in the field of journalism.
The Legacy of Komla Dumor, The Inspiration Of The Awards Scheme
Komla Dumor’s legacy has left an indelible mark on journalism in Africa and beyond.
His authentic and charming style of journalism, combined with his towering presence, served as an inspiration to many aspiring journalists.
Paa Kwesi Asare, the latest recipient of the award, expressed his admiration for Komla’s values and his positive influence on his own journalism journey.
Criteria For Winning The Award
The BBC News Komla Dumor Award sets high standards for recognising outstanding journalism talent.
Recipients are chosen based on their ability to tell African stories effectively, their captivating on-air flair, and their dedication to the profession.
The award package also includes the opportunity for professional training at the BBC’s renowned training academy in London.
Paa Kwesi’s Gratitude and Inspiration
Upon receiving the award, Paa Kwesi Asare expressed his immense gratitude and humility.
He remarked that being the first Ghanaian to win this award was a humbling experience, and he attributed his achievement to the grace of God.
Paa Kwesi Asare shared that Komla Dumor’s influence played a pivotal role in shaping his own journey as a journalist, and he pledged to uphold the values that Komla espoused. He disclosed:
“As the first Ghanaian [to win the award], it is humbling, and I thank God for his grace. I believe this is a watershed moment in my career. Komla is someone I admired greatly and respect. I looked up to him for inspiration and I believe he influenced me positively in my journalism career. Like Komla, we both didn’t start as “out and out journalists”, but we persevered to make a difference in the profession”.
Media General’s Commitment to Excellence
Beatrice Agyemang, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Media General, extended her congratulations to Paa Kwesi for this historic accomplishment.
She emphasised that the award reflects Media General’s commitment to excellence in journalism.
She reiterated the organisation’s dedication to training programs that cultivate world-class journalists and underscored their aspiration to secure more prestigious awards in the future.
Conclusion
Paa Kwesi Asare’s recognition as the recipient of the 2023 BBC News Komla Dumor Award marks a significant milestone for Ghanaian journalism.
His accomplishments, as overseer of the Business Desk at Media General and anchor of TV3’s main newscast, have set a high standard for journalism in the country.
This recognition serves as an inspiration to Ghanaian journalists and highlights the impact of dedicated professionals in shaping the media landscape.
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Author’s biography:
This article was written and submitted to Tales Of Africa by Grace Appiah Asare, a Ghanaian writer and Affiliate marketer. She is a Marketing and IT student at the Accra Institute Of Technology in Ghana and currently works as a Tales Of Africa Correspondent.
