Joseph Nii Ankrah, Athletics and Political correspondent for Happy FM has been named as the Employee of the Year at the 25th edition of the End of Year Employee Awards Ceremony, held at Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel.
The awards were taking place in person for the first time since 2021 and were presented by Timothy Karikari Director of Broadcasting at GMABC.
The awards brought key figures together to celebrate the brilliant people working tirelessly within the media landscape.
Meet Joseph Nii Ankrah, known affectionately as Nii Ocanta, a luminary whose journey to becoming the 2022 Employee of the Year was akin to an exhilarating symphony of dreams and determination.
In the enthralling tapestry of Accra’s cityscape, where vibrant hues of culture and ambition blend, an enigmatic figure emerged, casting a radiant light upon the world of journalism.
Growing up, Nii Ocanta came across as a bright and curious child. He attended Ghanaian elementary and secondary schools, where he displayed a natural talent for leadership and journalism. As fate would have it, Nii Ocanta’s true passion began to blossom when he joined Ebenezer Senior High School. There, he became the first editor-in-chief of the Greater Accra Regional Student Representative Council (GARSRC) and President of the Greater Accra Adolescents Health Club. These early experiences provided a glimpse into the great potential that lay ahead for young Nii Ocanta.
Amid youthful enthusiasm, the seeds of his passion for journalism were sown, watered by his election as the President of the Greater Accra Adolescents Health Club. With each stride, Nii Ocanta’s journey to enlightenment found its footing, paving the way for a destiny that awaited him.
After completing his secondary education, Nii Ocanta set his sights on higher learning. He enrolled in the E-Academy for media practice studies, where he honed his skills and knowledge in the field he loved – journalism.
In 2020, an exciting opportunity presented itself when Nii Ocanta participated in a certificate course on “Data Journalism and Tableau Usage” organized by Rhodes University in South Africa. This course opened new doors for him, introducing him to the world of data analysis and visualization through Tableau. With the power to extract information from social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook and represent it graphically, Nii Ocanta’s journalistic arsenal expanded significantly. Armed with this newfound skill, he was ready to make a mark in the world of media.
Nii Ocanta’s talents did not go unnoticed, and soon he found himself as part of a team of astute Ghanaian journalists handpicked to provide coverage for two significant events: the visit of Kamala Harris, a prominent political figure and Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, the Minister of State at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, to Ghana. Nii’s ability to deliver compelling and insightful coverage showcased his prowess as a journalist on an international stage.
He has covered athletics around games around the country and Joseph covered the 2019 wanda diamond league meeting in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
In the realm of politics, Nii Ocanta proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with. Leading a team from Happy 98.9 FM, he covered the 2020 General Elections, an event of tremendous importance for Ghana and its people. His previous experiences in covering electoral campaigns and party primaries since 2018 gave him an edge in reporting unbiased and comprehensive news to the nation.
As the days turned into months and the months into years, Nii Ocanta’s dedication and passion for journalism only grew stronger. His work ethic, commitment to truth, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life endeared him to his colleagues and the audience alike.
And so, in the celestial dance of time, the year 2022 arrived, a canvas awaiting the stroke of brilliance. The stage was set and as the moonlight bathed the stage.
Joseph Nii Ankrah is undoubtedly becoming a celestial being of ink and prose, transcending the boundaries of ordinary existence and leaving an indelible mark on the grand tapestry of journalism. His story whispers to those who dare to dream, for it is a tale of courage and conviction, inviting us all to embrace our destinies with unwavering ardour.
