The 2023 BBC News Komla Dumor Award has been won by Ghanaian journalist and TV host Paa Kwesi Asare.
The 36-year-old, like the late Komla Dumor, is the award‘s eighth recipient and the first Ghanaian.
Asare is currently the head of business news at Ghana’s private TV3, where he previously served as one of the channel’s primary news anchors for seven years.
The honor is given in memory of Dumor, a BBC World News presenter who passed away unexpectedly in 2014 at the age of 41.
He had put in a lot of effort to show the world a more nuanced African narrative that showed a bold, astute, and enterprising side of Africa.
The judges were impressed by Asare’s strong journalism and his capacity to concisely and compellingly explain complex subjects.
Asare, who will work with BBC News teams in London on TV, radio, and online for three months, said that this was a “watershed moment” in his career and that he would seize the opportunity.
Aside from mentoring and training, renowned BBC journalists will work with the Ghanaian broadcaster.
He will visit an African nation as part of the placement to report on a story that will be shown to audiences all over the world on the BBC.
“I feel very elated to have won the BBC News Komla Dumor Award,” Asare said.
“This is arguably the most prestigious award for any African journalist. Komla’s talent is one that I greatly admired and to be found worthy of walking in his shoes is not only a joy but also a great privilege.”
Previous award recipients are Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya, Victoria Rubadiri, Solomon Serwanjja, Waihiga Mwaura, Amina Yuguda, Didi Akinyelure and Nancy Kacungira, the inaugural winner.
Source-BBC
