Manasseh Azure Awuni is one of Ghana’s foremost investigative journalists and a staunch anti-corruption crusader. The revered Ghanaian preacher, Pastor Mensa Otabil, has described him as a “treasure” to Ghana, a young man whose life is an “encouragement that there is hope for Ghana and for Africa.”

Manasseh was born in Bongo in the Upper East Region of Ghana in 1985 but grew up in Kete-Krachi, where his father worked as a night watchman. Growing up under difficult conditions, he rose above the odds of deprivation, poverty and hopelessness to become a role model to many Ghanaian youths and a voice for the oppressed and downtrodden.

Manasseh is a recipient of many awards in recognition of his outstanding performance in journalism. In 2010, the Ghana Journalists’ Association adjudged him the Most Promising Young Journalist of the Year and the overall Best Journalist of the Year for 2011, just a year after he left journalism school. He is also a recipient of the 2012 National Youth Achievers Award for Media Excellence and overall winner of Ideas Award by Legacy and Legacy in the same year. In 2013, he was adjudged the Best Anti-Corruption Reporter in Ghana.

A product of Krachi Senior High School, Manasseh Azure Awuni graduated from the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and went to read for a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies at the University of Ghana’s School of Communication Studies. Before joining Joy FM in November 2012, Manasseh worked as a freelance journalist, focusing on rural reporting and reports that highlighted the plight of the poor and the vulnerable in the society. The Bongo boy, as Manasseh refers to himself, enjoys gospel and boborbor music. He reads for pleasure and writing is his hobby. Manasseh is also the author of Voice of Conscience, a collection of selected articles on anti-corruption, politics, motivation, obituary and a mixed basket of topical national issues.

He is happily married to Rebecca Eduafo-Abraham, and they live in Accra, Ghana.

  • Investigative Journalism in Africa: A Practical Manual

    “Few African investigative journalists I know are as invested in principled investigative journalism as Manasseh Azure Awuni. That trait has always come through in his exhaustive, impactful stories (some of which have featured in GIJN’s monthly and annual picks of top investigative stories from Africa). It is also abundantly evident in his new book, Investigative Journalism in Africa: A Practical Manual. In his own distinct, matter-of-fact style, Manasseh crafts a book that borrows from his own experiences to map a path for journalists who want to follow in his footsteps or learn from his unique experiences. By doing so, Manasseh has laid a crucial brick towards building African literature on investigative journalism on the continent. Most of the watchdog journalism study materials available in Africa come from the West. Manasseh’s effort is a commendable and timely step in the right direction, which I hope other investigative journalists across Africa can aspire to emulate.” − Benon Herbert Oluka, Africa Editor of Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN)

    “Manasseh Azure Awuni makes investigative journalism so practical in this manual. He dissects the thorny and hidden issues that you would not get in your average classroom. This book crafts the very basis of my intellectual thinking of what investigative journalism should be about. It is a must- read for every student who wants to achieve greater heights in investigative journalism across the world.” − Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Award-winning Ghanaian investigative journalist

    “This book is rich with practical and theoretical knowledge from one of the foremost investigative journalists in Africa. An invaluable resource for both professionals and students.” − Prof. Audrey Gadzekpo, former Dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies, University of Ghana

    “Students with a dream to pursue public interest and accountability journalism will find exceptional value here, but practitioners will do themselves a world of great value if they also keep a copy on the reading table.” − Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher of Premium Times, Nigeria  

  • The Fourth John: Reign, Rejection & Rebound

    01

    An influential northern caucus is secretly meeting and grooming him to contest the man who will select him as a vice presidential candidate. A meeting between the first lady and the Brong-Ahafo caucus results in, perhaps, the fastest ministerial reshuffle in the history of the country. At 2a.m., before the breaking of a major scandal, there is a meeting between the president’s friend and the investigative journalist about how to involve the main opposition leader, in the story to minimise its damage to the president in the upcoming election. The wife of the president reports the wife of the vice president to the vice president’s mother. The night before a crucial election, the president and his main contender are locked up in a meeting with Ghana’s most revered traditional ruler.

    These and other revealing accounts on governance, policies and programmes of the fourth presidency of Ghana’s Fourth Republic are the intriguing contents of this book. Here, the journalist whose investigations are believed to have contributed to the downfall of the administration gets brutally intimate with the regime.

    Rare interviews with key figures of the governing party and historical contexts to contemporary events provide readers and students of African politics the inside story of what is considered the model democracy on the continent. The fluidity of the writing style and humour make this book about politics and governance in Ghana’s Fourth Republic both informative, educative and entertaining.

  • Voice of Conscience

    Voice of Conscience by Manasseh Azure Awuni is a collection of articles on the investigations and reflections of a young Ghanaian journalist. Published mainly in the Daily Graphic and online between 2009 and 2014, the 36 feature stories showcase the compelling writing ability of the author as well as the broad range of his interests.

    The book is divided into five sections to include: Motivation, Anti-corruption, Politics and the captivating obituaries of leaders such as John Attah-Mills, Nelson Mandela and Komla Dumor. The inclusion of photographs of personalities connected to the topics and the cartoons depicting the lighter side brighten up the pages.

    “In his brilliant foreword to the book, my friend and senior colleague, Kwaku Sakyi Addo said Manasseh is bold. I say Manasseh is a professional risk taker. And I cite the very first chapter in which he mentions names and designations of real people who supported or thwarted his efforts in his various news enterprises.” Kofi Akpabli

  • Letters To My Future Wife

    The content of this book is not different from the title. It is a collection of letters – letters to Serwaa. They are intriguing love letters from a young man to a young woman with whom he intends to spend the rest of his life. She is his wife-to-be, but certain issues must be settled before they take the irrevocable oath.

    The topics are on serious issues that can bind or break relationships. The letters are mainly the products of the writer’s creative mind. Some are triggered by real life situations. But the reader will find it difficult to distinguish between the two. The reason is not difficult to find. A reader who has been in a relationship or marriage can identify with almost every situation in those letters.

    Manasseh uses the simple and conversational tone to convey deep messages. He has not failed to spice them with witty African proverbs that give readers the mature flavour that must accompany the thought-provoking pieces. Those who are still battling with what to look out for in a lasting relationship will find a helpful guide in this book. It will be of help to the man whose mother still decides how he should relate with his future wife. The lady who is yet to discover that good boyfriends do not often make good husbands will find useful lessons in Letters to My Future Wife. The couple whose marriage is yet to be blessed with a child will find something comforting in this book. And those who find pleasure in reading for relaxation will find this book therapeutic.

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