Manasseh Azure Awuni (middle) in a pose with the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Prof. Emmanuel Martey (left) and other dignitaries at the launch
MANASSEH AZURE Awuni launched his first book, Voice of Conscience, Wednesday night at the Christ the King Parish Hall, opposite the Flagstaff House, in Accra.
Mr. Awuni, a broadcast journalist with Joy FM, has gained considerable fame in Ghana for uncovering corruption and political wrongdoings through his in-depth investigations and reporting.
In 2013, he revealed extensive multi-million cedi corruption scandal at the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Agency (GYEEDA) that occasioned a government investigation and removal of some top officials.
He’s received several awards, including the Ghana Journalist Association’s award for Best Journalist of the Year and Best Anti-Corruption Reporter in Ghana.
His book includes his most famous reporting stories from 2009 to 2014 such as the ‘Mantse Agboena Madness’ of 2012.
Speaking Wednesday, Mr. Awuni said that a lot of people ask him why he tackles such sensitive issues in his reporting that occasionally makes him risk his reputation and life.
“Unfortunately, I am terrified when I think of the state of affairs in this country,” he said. “I ask myself if I should have children today and then die, how are my children going to survive in this corrupt country? That is the reason why sometimes I’m tempted to risk my life and do the things I do,” he explained.
His book holds much of the heat of his articles. The first chapter includes a list of people who have not only helped his career, but also those who had tried to thwart his goals.
While people throughout Ghana now read his articles, Mr. Awuni said his beginnings in his hometown of Bongo in the Volta Region were humble, to say the least. His father is a night watchman at a hospital.
“But because of my father’s sacrifice, today I have a decent roof over my head and I can do things I never thought I’d have the chance to do,” he said.
“Unfortunately, this man has never read a single one of my articles,” Awuni said about his father adding, “And he will never read the book I’m launching today.”
Deputy Minister of Communications, Ato Sarpong, gave a speech on behalf of President John Mahama, who could not turn up due to other engagements.
Mr. Sarpong said that Awuni’s reporting had been instrumental in tackling corruption in the country. He underscored that his comprehensive investigations into not only government officials but private businesses showed that corruption is more far-reaching than most people assume.
“Corruption as we perceive it is Ghana, does not only happen in the public sector,” he noted and maintained, “Indeed, most of the corruption that we hear about and read about is as a result of a relationship between the private sector and public sector.”
He therefore called Awuni’s book a “must-read” not only for journalists in the field, but also for anyone wanting to raise their awareness on the country’s most pressing issues.
Several high-profile figures offered high prices for the first autined copies. President Mahama, though not in attendance, bought one for ¢13,000.
NPP flagbearer Akufo-Addo, also purchased a copy for ¢5,000.
Mr. Awuni’s book is now officially on sale for public purchase at ¢50.
BY Derek Maiolo