TV3’s news anchor Paa Kwesi Asare has expressed excitement at winning the 2023 BBC News Komla Dumor Award.
He was named the latest winner of the Award, which was instituted in 2015 to honour late host of BBC World News and Focus on Africa Komla Dumor after his death.
Paa Kwesi was named winner on Monday, August 21, coming years after being runner-up in the inaugural edition.
Paa Kwesi Asare, who presents News 360 and Business Focus on TV3, says the Award is further testament to Media General’s unparalleled reputation as the news leader in Ghana.
“I am overly elated to become the first Ghanaian winner of the prestigious BBC Komla Dumor Award,” he said on Monday.
“It is further testament to Media General’s unmatched reputation in news and the quality of our journalism which has stood us out consistently as a market leader in Ghana.”
He had earlier told BBC how thrilled he was to win the “most prestigious award”, extolling the exploits of the late Ghanaian broadcaster, who died on January 18, 2014.
“I am absolutely thrilled to have won the Komla Dumor Award,” Paa Kwesi Asare said.
“This is arguably the most prestigious award for any African journalist, and I am honoured to be in the company of such incredible previous winners.
“Komla Dumor was a true pioneer in African journalism, and it’s a great privilege to be following in his footsteps. This award gives me the motivation to continue striving for excellence in my career, and I am excited to use this platform to amplify African voices and tell the stories that matter to our continent.”
As part of the award, Paa Kwesi will spend three months working with BBC News teams in London across television, radio, and online.
He will be given the opportunity to further develop his journalism skills through training, workshops, and mentoring with leading BBC journalists.