“I’ve had hundreds of interviews over the years and many of them have a special place in my heart. But I never forget the lives that change because of a story I told or an interview I did.”
That’s the perspective with which Keminni Amanor assumes her new role of Anchor/Snr producer at Media General.
Born in Tema, but raised in Ashaiman, Keminni describes growing up as the “best years of my life. I don’t fuss about food. It just has to taste good,” the Ga-Dangbe lady stressed.
Hers is a name that has been making waves in the world of broadcast journalism here in Ghana. Henceforth, that melodic voice and photogenic face associated with the brand Keminni, can only be heard and seen on one Ghanaian television network- TV3.
Television viewers on Sunday afternoons have already had a foretaste of what is in store for them with her as the host of ‘Hot Issues.’ What is yet to be experienced is Keminni’s news anchoring skills. The platform is ‘News Central,’ an entirely new television news experience that will set the tone for the day’s news cycle. It is upbeat and insightful, bringing the viewer closer to the news source.
Keminni’s addition to the indefatigable news team of Media General speaks to the quest to live by our promise of being ‘First in News.’ With a career journey that spans continents and a passion for storytelling that is nothing short of awe-inspiring, she is poised to keep you glued to your screen anytime she is on.
Professional Experience
As pointed out earlier, while Keminni Amanor is new at Media General, she is not, as far as broadcast journalism in Ghana is concerned. She cut her teeth at JoyNews as a News Presenter/Reporter. Her tenure was marked by deep involvement in live newscasts and anchoring responsibilities. Notably, she anchored the daily mid-morning news analysis program and the midday news, on which programs she demonstrated journalistic abilities.
At EIB Network (GHOne TV/ Starr FM), she was Snr News Anchor and producer. She began with radio as host of the midday news, and moved on to television where she contributed to delivering ground breaking election coverage.
Keminni also collaborated with producers and management to develop broadcast content, delivered news and feature reports for both television and radio and contributed production ideas that evidenced her creative abilities.
International Exploits
While on a stint as a News Anchor/Editor at News Central TV in Lagos, Nigeria, where she hosted the flagship current affairs analysis show, “Village Square Africa”, she did not only display her on-screen charisma but also her abilities behind the scenes. Keminni also covered a broad range of political and social issues across the continent.
Before her Nigerian adventure, Keminni contributed her journalistic skills as a Multimedia Journalist at KXNEWS (CBS 13) in Minot, North Dakota. Her freelance producer role at News 12 in Westchester, NY, was another milestone in her journey. Here, she worked in teams that covered, planned and developed newscasts of stories from the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. This was a testament to her capacity to handle multiple roles efficiently, making her a versatile asset in any newsroom.
Keminni’s involvement with Voice of America in Washington D.C entailed working for the News Center Hub, where they wrote exclusively for voanews.com. She covered global news stories as well.
A Global Learning Experience
As shown above, Keminni’s journey to becoming a broadcast journalist began before her enrollment into Boston University in MA, USA, where she earned her Master of Science in Journalism. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Ghana, Legon.
She attended Solidarity International School, and went on to St Mary’s Girls Senior High School, Accra.
Keminni is knowledgeable and experienced in digital journalism which makes her a force to reckon with, in this digital age.
She holds her entire professional journey in high esteem. As she looks back at here over 12 years’ experience in the industry she said “I marvel at my career growth and the places it has taken me.”
If you have enjoyed her first two interviews. Here is how she aced them “I go into every interview with an open mind, but at the fore of that is my guiding principle, that everyone has an agenda including those you least suspect. My duty, I believe is to find out what that agenda is and where it falls on the truth scale. I think it is a good first step to truth-telling journalism,” she said.
To those who have been hooked by the first two episodes of ‘Hot Issues’ Keminni said, “It’s an honour to be the face of the most iconic hard-hitting interview program in Ghana.”
“With its return to your screens, my hope is that the team and I will bring you enthralling interviews that change lives and public policies, while making us number one on the continent. And I think I see signs of that already,” she added.
Any inspiration from a journalist far or near? “I admire every journalist who does a great job…wherever they are”- Keminni.
“Hot Issues” shows on TV3 every Sunday at 2:00pm. News Central will air soon at 12 noon every week day.
By Job Kwabena Laboja