Manasseh Azure Awuni
Born1985
NationalityGhanaian
Alma materUniversity of Ghana, GIJ
OccupationInvestigative journalist
OrganizationThe Fourth Estate

Manasseh Azure Awuni, is Ghanaian investigative journalist and the Editor-in-Chief of The Fourth Estate.[1][2] He previously worked with Multimedia Group Limited in Accra, Ghana.[3]

His investigative and anti-corruption reports have caused national uproar and resulted in some government officials going to prison.[4] He spends his leisure time speaking at youth programmes and anti-corruption seminars.

Azure has won various awards for his works including the journalist of the year at the West Africa Media Excellence Awards in 2019 and 2020.[5][6]

Education

Born in Bongo in the Upper East Region, Azure moved to Kete-Krachi in the Volta Region where he completed his secondary education at Krachi Senior High School. He proceeded to the Ghana Institute of Journalism where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and, later, a Master of Arts degree in communication studies at the University of Ghana.[7]

Career

Manasseh Azure Awuni is currently the Editor-in-Chief, The Fourth Estate which is a non-profit, public-interest journalism project founded by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).

Azure began his career as a freelance journalist before joining the Multimedia Group Limited in 2012.[7] where he was the head of investigation at Joy FM and Joy News, subsidiaries of MGL.

Controversies

Azure's work has always stirred national controversy, notably concerning the Mahama Ford saga.[8] He broke a story in 2016 when the then president, John Mahama, received a Ford Expedition gift from a Burkinabé contractor. Many groups called for an investigation into the saga.[9] The gift was believed to be a return favour for a contract given to the businessman. The story damaged Mahama's second term bid.

In 2019, Azure and Joy FM broadcast a documentary titled "Militia in the heart of the nation"[10] which detailed how a private and unlicensed security group affiliated to the governing New Patriotic Party operated from the seat of a government annexe, the Osu Castle. The government denied the story, as expected, but various government spokespersons contradicted one another.[11]

The De-Eye group also sued Azure and the media house.[12] The group abandoned the suit when Azure and the Multimedia Group filed their defence. The journalist has however, won similar defamation suits against those he has investigated.[13]

Books

  • The Fourth John: Reign, Rejection and Rebound[14]
  • Letters to My Future Wife[15]
  • Voice of Conscience[16]
  • Investigative Journalism in Africa[17]

Awards

Manasseh is a receipient of several awards: [5][7][18]

  • 2022: Nominee for the Allard Prize for International Integrity
  • 2022: Longlist for One World Media Awards (Popular Features Category)
  • 2021: Ghana’s Integrity Personality of the Year, Awarded by GII, Ghana Chapter of Transparency International[19]
  • 2021: Millennium Excellence Award for Media Excellence[20]
  • 2021: 2nd Prize for Norbert Zongo Africa Investigative Journalism Award
  • 2020: Overall Best Journalist for West Africa, West Africa Media Excellence Award[21]
  • 2018: Overall Best Journalist for West Africa, West Africa Media Excellence Award[22]
  • 2012: 2011 Ghana Journalists Association Best Journalist of the Year[23]
  • 2011: 2010 Ghana Journalists Association Most Promising Journalist of the Year[24]
  • 2020: Best Anti-Corruption Journalist for West Africa; West Africa Media Excellence Award
  • 2018: Best Anti-Corruption Journalist for West Africa; West Africa Media Excellence Award
  • 2017: Best Investigative Journalist for West Africa; West Africa Media Excellence Award
  • 2012: National Youth Achievers Award for Media Excellence
  • 2014: Ghana Journalists Association Best Anti-Corruption Reporter
  • 2014: Ghana Journalists Association Best Radio News Reporter
  • 2013: Ghana Journalists Association Best TV News Reporter
  • 2012: Ghana Journalists Association Best TV News Reporter
  • 2012: Ghana Journalists Association Best Reporter on Sanitation
  • 2012: Ghana Journalists Association Best Features Writer
  • 2012: Overall Winner of Ideas Award of Ghanaian Achievers Under 40
  • 2012: Ghana Journalists Association 1st Runner Up in Sports Reporting, 2012
  • 2011: Ghana Journalists Association Best TV News Reporter
  • 2011: Ghana Journalists Association Best Human Rights Reporter
  • 2007: Winner: (Tertiary Level) 2007 National Emancipation Day Essay Competition,

References

  1. ↑ Online, G. B. C. (5 May 2022). "Ghanaians are not surprised at where we are - Manasseh Azure". Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  2. ↑ Tzabiras, Marianna (4 May 2021). "Veteran journalist Manasseh Azure to head 'The Fourth Estate'". IFEX. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  3. ↑ "Manasseh Azure Awuni finds new job 2 years after leaving Joy FM - A1 Radio Bolgatanga". 24 April 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  4. ↑ "NCA Reacts To Manasseh's Claims On 'Threats' To Shut Down Joy FM, Tame MTN". DailyGuide Network. 21 July 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Manasseh is West Africa journalist of the Year; Multimedia wins big at WAMECA". My Joy Online. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  6. ↑ "Manasseh Azure Awuni wins Best Journalist for West Africa". My Joy Online. 15 November 2020. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  7. 1 2 3 "About Manasseh Azure Awuni". Manasseh Azure. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  8. ↑ "Minority MPs threaten to impeach Mahama over bribery allegation". GhanaWeb. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  9. ↑ "Mahama's Ford 'gift' must be investigated". OccupyGhana. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  10. ↑ "Joy News reveals: The pro-NPP militia which trains at Presidency Annex". My Joy Online. 7 March 2019. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  11. ↑ Online, Peace FM. "De-Eye Group Sues Manasseh Azure, Multimedia....Seeks Damages of GHC10m". Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  12. ↑ Marian Ansah (13 March 2019). "De-Eye group sues Manasseh, Multimedia; demands GHC10m in damages". Citi News Room. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
    - Mutala Yakubu (13 March 2019). "De-Eye group drags Manasseh and Multimedia Group to court". Prime News Ghana. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  13. ↑ "Manasseh Awuni floors Joseph Siaw in court, damages awarded against the Zoomlion boss". Pulse. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  14. ↑ "Launch of 'The Fourth John: Reign, Rejection, Rebound'". My Joy Online. 28 November 2019. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  15. ↑ Awuni, Manasseh Azure (2017). Letters to My Future Wife. ISBN 978-9988253905.
  16. ↑ Awuni, Manasseh Azure (2016). Voice of Conscience. Manasseh Azure Awuni. ISBN 978-9988-2-3799-8 – via Google Books.
  17. ↑ "Investigative Journalism in Africa: A Book From the Frontlines". gijn.org. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  18. ↑ Adisa Amanor-Wilks (29 October 2017). "Seth Boateng, Manasseh, others honoured at maiden West Africa Media Excellence Awards". Ghana Web. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  19. ↑ "Manasseh Azure Awuni adjudged Integrity Personality of the Year | Ghana Integrity Awards - GIAWARDS". ghanaintegrityawards.org. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  20. ↑ Abedu-Kennedy, Dorcas (19 July 2021). "Manasseh Azure Awuni grabs top award". Adomonline.com. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  21. ↑ WAMECA Awards: Manasseh Azure Awuni crowned best journalist - AM News on JoyNews (16-11-20), retrieved 25 September 2022
  22. ↑ kwaku (14 October 2018). "Winners Announced – West Africa Media Excellence Awards 2018". WAMECA - Media Foundation For West Africa. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  23. ↑ "Manasseh Azure Awuni is GJA's Journalist of the Year - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  24. ↑ "JOY FM reporter adjudged 2010 Journalist of the year". GhanaWeb. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
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