Penplusbytes’ Kwami Ahiabenu II honoured at Flamingo Awards

For his efforts in advancing the cause of good journalism in Ghana and beyond, the Executive Director of Penplusbytes, Mr. Kwami Ahiabenu II has been honoured with a citation by the Institute of Financial and Economic Journalists (IFEJ) at the just ended Flamingo Awards 2017 which took place on Friday 26^th of January 2018 at the Du Bois Memorial Centre in Accra.

on the theme The annual event organised by IFEJ, a group of journalists with interest in business and finance issues, to reward journalists who have distinguished themselves in the course of work, was graced by the first Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana amongst other dignitaries who spoke on the event theme “Embracing financial inclusion and innovation for growth and development”.

In his citation, the Institute commended Mr. Ahiabenu for his over two decades contributions in merging information and communication technologies with mainstream journalism to improve the quality of news produced in several newsrooms across the continent.

The Citation read:

“Your journey into new ways of reporting the news started over 20 years ago. You saw the link between mainstream journalism and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the application of ICT to improve upon news quality.

You have taken advantage of every opportunity to upgrade yourself in the application of new media to journalism and the enhancement of the quality of reportage using those skills. You have through a network of journalists across Africa that you established, empowered many journalists to share ideas and resources relating to their work.

As a member of the Flamingo Awards jury, your constructive criticism on the works of the entries for the IFEJ awards has helped to bring out quality award winners. Your new media hub has served as the rallying point for the jury meetings.

IFEJ is by this citation expressing its gratitude to you, KWAMI AHIABENU II, for your immeasurable contribution to the success of the IFEJ-Flamingo Awards over the years.”

Expressing his gratitude to IFEJ, Mr. Ahiabenu said, “Journalism in Ghana and Africa at large has evolved over the years. Being part of the success story so far told is a privileged honour. We are looking forward to the years when journalism practice in Ghana would be world class and an example to many others.”

The event honoured journalists specialised in reporting on finance and economic thematic areas as well as investigative journalists. Mr. Felix Dela Klutse of the Business Day newspaper emerged the overall winner – Business Journalist of the Year 2017. He won the best in business of health and the best in finance to become the overall best for the second time. He was the overall best business journalist in 2014 during the maiden edition of the awards.

Other winners included Mr. Emmanuel Bruce and Mr. Maxwell Akalaare both of the Daily Graphic were adjudged the best in agribusiness and the best in local economy respectively.

Ms. Jessica Acheampong also of the Graphic and an alumnus of Penplusbytes’ extractives reporting training won the Best in Extractive Reporting.

Ms. Francisca Dickson Arhin of GhOne TV won the best in business/manufacturing reporting; Mr. Kwabena Adu Koranteng of the New Crusading Guide won the best in development reporting. The best in Information and Communication Technology went to Mr. Richard Abbey of the Business and Financial Times and the best in tourism reporting went to Ms. Rebecca Awuah of Ghana Television.

All the above mentioned journalists are alumni of Penplusbytes’ Media trainings over the years.

Penplusbytes congratulates all award winners and wishes them the best in the years ahead.