Manasseh Azure Awuni

Ghanaian journalist

Manasseh Azure Awuni

Born| 1985
Nationality| Ghanaian
Alma mater| University of Ghana, GIJ
Occupation| Investigative journalist
Organization| The Fourth Estate

Manasseh Azure Awuni is a Ghanaian investigative journalist and former founding 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

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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

[edit]

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

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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

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* The President Ghana Never Got[2]
* The Fourth John: Reign, Rejection and Rebound[14]
* Letters to My Future Wife[15]
* Voice of Conscience[16]
* Investigative Journalism in Africa[17]

## Awards

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Manasseh is a recipient 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

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1. ^ Online, G. B. C. (5 May 2022). "Ghanaians are not surprised at where we are - Manasseh Azure". Retrieved 24 September 2022.
2. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c "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.[permanent dead link]
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), 16 November 2020, 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.