Biography:Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah
Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah | |
|---|---|
 Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah | |
| Born | Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah 26 April 1987 Kumasi, Ghana |
| Citizenship | Ghanaian |
| Alma mater | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology & Adu Gyamfi Senior High School |
| Occupation | Multimedia journalist, Poet & Country singer |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Known for | Science and technology reporting |
Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah (born 26 April 1987) also known as Kwasi Debrah, is a multimedia journalist working with Multimedia Group Limited in Ghana. He is the lead for the KNUST and Multimedia Group Limited Medical Journalism programme.[1] Besides his journalistic career, he is a musician with the stage name El Tov[2] and is also an inventor[3] and a poet.[4]
Early life and education
Debrah was born at Kumasi Children's Hospital in Kumasi. He was raised in Suame, a suburb of Kumasi, alongside his brother and sister by their mother, Akua Boatemaa, a singer at the Pentecost Church and a lay preacher and his father, Frederick Asare, a police detective who passed away in 2010.[2]
He holds an MPH in Health Education and Promotion, a BSc in Biological Sciences, and a Certificate of Proficiency in Leadership for Health Systems Transformation, all from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Additionally, he holds a certificate in mobile journalism from the Deutsche Welle (DW) Akademie.[5] Debrah completed his secondary education at Adu Gyamfi Senior High School in Jamasi, his mother's hometown.[6]
Career
Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah started working as a medical laboratory scientist after completing the mandatory national service in 2010. He transitioned to a career in journalism, starting as a news anchor at the local radio station Moonlite 104.5 FM in Sunyani. After a year, he moved to Sky 96.7 FM in the same city. Later, after six months, Debrah joined Multimedia Group Limited in 2016, and he has since been working there.[7]
Medical journalism course
In 2020, Debrah led Multimedia Group Limited to sign a MoU with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology under the School of Medicine and Dentistry to train medical students in health journalism.[8][9] Debrah serves as the programme lead.[1]
Paper Prompter
As a video journalist, Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah recognized the challenge of managing thoughts and questions during interviews. To address this issue, he conceived the Paper Prompter, a portable device designed to streamline the interview process.[10]
The Paper Prompter prevents the need to type points on a laptop or write on a piece of paper and show it to the interviewee. It is a practical solution for mostly solo journalists whose attention is often divided between managing both the camera and the interviewee.[11]
The device consists of a hollow shaft fitted with a cylindrical bar with holes aligning the edge of the bar. The holes are points of attachment to the clip. The sheet of paper is therefore held to the bar by the clips. It is fitted with a bolt to regulate the length of the cylindrical bar depending on the camera or paper size[12]
It is fitted with a bolt to regulate the length of the cylindrical bar depending on the camera or paper size. The tool has a hot shoe adapter to mount on the camera and a cold shoe adapter at the top to accommodate a light or a microphone. The Paper Prompter allows the reporter to focus on the camera while the interviewee reads from the sheet of paper displaying relevant prompts. Questions can be written on the teleprompter paper enabling interviewees to respond without interruptions from the interviewer.[13]
Music and poetry career
El Tov's mother, Akua Boatemaa, inspired him to narrate biblical stories through music. Because of his baritone voice, he chose country music as a suitable genre for his music. El Tov lyrics are known for their terse and religious imagery.[14] In 2014, he wrote and recorded his first country song, Son of David,[15] which talks about the biblical account of Jesus healing blind Bartimaeus, but released it in 2020. He has about five singles, they are
He has composed poems inspired by biblical stories.
- Greatest Ransom[4]
Notable works
Debrah has written and produced hundreds of science, technology, and health related stories in the form of features and documentaries. Some of them include:
Superbug in the hospital waste
The feature highlighted the role of a damaged sewer system owned by the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in contributing to antimicrobial resistance within the community. The spoilt sewer system discharges water into the Subin River, a primary water source relied upon by farmers for irrigating their vegetables. Debrah, through interviews with medical professionals, uncovered the presence of 12 antibodies in the river.[20]
The short film revealed that the residents displayed bacterial resistance to medications, thereby affecting their responsiveness to treatments for tuberculosis, HIV, gonorrhea, and malaria. This superbug poses a significant threat to individuals for whom bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics, rendering them impervious.[21]
The story prompted a response from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, compelling the involved institutions to formulate strategies for the reconstruction of the damaged sewage system.[22]
Trickling credit: mobile phone users in Ghana pay for unknown subscriptions
The story of unsolicited mobile phone subscriptions in Ghana exposed a situation where specific telecommunication network subscribers were involuntarily charged by third parties authorized by the National Communication Authority to provide value-added service.[23][24]
In the course of his investigation, he identified 100 affected users. The survey findings revealed that 95 of them had unknowingly subscribed to various services. The associated charges for these subscriptions varied, ranging from 0.19 Ghana Cedis to 0.85 Ghana Cedis.[25][26]
When the truck is long: Ghana’s outdated roads
The feature article conducted an assessment of how the deteriorating condition of roads contributes to motor accidents.[27] The narrative centered on a specific incident in Kumasi involving a collision between a truck and a tricycle, resulting in the loss of three lives.[28] The article provided suggestions on addressing poorly constructed roads as a preventive measure to avoid such accidents.[29]
Costly cartoons: Ghana’s underprivileged pupils can’t access science animations
This story highlighted the current absence of cartoons and other scientific animations on Ghana's over 150 local television stations. This absence poses a challenge by denying underprivileged young students the inspirational content needed to foster an interest in pursuing science at higher levels of education.
Through the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) science tour, it was revealed that while about 100 school pupils had the opportunity to be exposed to science animations, a significant majority of students lacking financial resources were unable to access these educational materials.[30]
Awards and honours
Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah has won several awards. Some of them are:[31][32][33][34][35][36]
| Year | Award | Results |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | WAMECA Best Journalist for ICTs and Telecoms Reporting | Won |
| 2022 | 2021 World Health Organisation’s Road Safety Reporting Contest | 2nd |
| 2021 | The SEJ Awards for Reporting on the Environment Feature/Small Category | 2nd |
| 2021 | Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards Online Category | 2nd |
| 2019 | Ashanti Regional GJA Best Science and Technology Reporter of the Year | Won |
- 2023 Special Recognition Awards by the Ghana Science Association (GSA)[37]
- The Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE) awarded Debrah with the Engineering Evangelism Award in 2022[38][39]
- Debrah has been a finalist at the WAMECA in 2019,[40] 2021,[41] and 2022[42]
- Winner of Luv FM's People Choice Award in 2021[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "20 KNUST medical students complete medical journalism course with Multimedia Group - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2021-09-08. https://www.myjoyonline.com/20-knust-medical-students-complete-medical-journalism-course-with-multimedia-group/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Joy News' Kwasi Debrah launches music career; releases Country song - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2020-01-03. https://www.myjoyonline.com/joy-news-kwasi-debrah-launches-music-career-releases-country-song/.
- ↑ "JoyNews' journalist invents a device to ease video interviews - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2021-01-11. https://www.myjoyonline.com/joynews-journalist-invents-a-device-to-ease-video-interviews/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "El Tov precedes Easter song release with a poem - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2020-04-08. https://www.myjoyonline.com/el-tov-precedes-easter-song-release-with-a-poem/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah". https://hcmcf.knust.edu.gh/staff/emmanuel-kwasi-debrah/.
- ↑ "4 Multimedia Group journalists nominated for WAMECA" (in en). https://ghanaguardian.com/4-multimedia-group-journalists-nominated-for-wameca.
- ↑ says, Genious Person (2016-04-12). "Kwasi BBC Joins Multimedia" (in en-US). https://newshuntermag.com/2016/04/kwasi-bbc-joins-multimedia_12.html.
- ↑ admin (2020-07-10). "KNUST establishes medical journalism, communications degree program for journalists" (in en). https://www.ghanaiantimes.com.gh/knust-establishes-medical-journalism-communications-degree-program-for-journalists/.
- ↑ Tawiah, Alexander (2020-07-12). "KNUST partners Multimedia Group to train medical journalists [Video"] (in en-US). https://www.thrillernewsgh.com/2020/07/12/knust-partners-multimedia-group-to-train-medical-journalists-video/.
- ↑ Dowuona, Samuel (2021-01-13). "Ghanaian journalist invents a device to ease video interviews" (in en-US). https://www.techfocus24.com/ghanaian-journalist-invents-a-device-to-ease-video-interviews/.
- ↑ "Ghanaian Journalist Invents Video Interview Device" (in en-GB). 2021-01-12. https://darteymedia.com/articles/technology/gadgets/product-review/ghanaian-journalist-invents-interview-device/.
- ↑ "No laptops, no second man: Ghanaian Journalist designs a simple gadget to ease video interviews" (in en). 2021-01-11. https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/No-laptops-no-second-man-Ghanaian-Journalist-designs-a-simple-gadget-to-ease-video-interviews-1151726.
- ↑ Quist, Ebenezer Agbey (2021-01-12). "Ghanaian journalist invents gadget for shooting interviews with no cameraman" (in en). https://yen.com.gh/180988-ghanaian-journalist-invents-gadget-shooting-interviews-cameraman.html.
- ↑ "Meet El Tov , The Country Music Singer From Ghana | AmeyawDebrah.com" (in en-US). 2020-01-12. https://ameyawdebrah.com/meet-el-tov-the-country-music-singer-from-ghana/.
- ↑ (in en) El Tov - Son Of David (Official Video), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUIK773J094, retrieved 2024-01-28
- ↑ "El Tov to release 'Bye Bye Bethesda' this Christmas - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2022-12-21. https://www.myjoyonline.com/el-tov-to-release-bye-bye-bethesda-this-christmas/.
- ↑ "El Tov releases new single 'Remember Me' - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2020-04-14. https://www.myjoyonline.com/el-tov-releases-new-single-remember-me/.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 "El Tov to release 2 singles in October - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2021-10-03. https://www.myjoyonline.com/el-tov-to-release-2-singles-in-october/.
- ↑ "El Tov set to release country, alternative songs on Good Friday - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2021-04-01. https://www.myjoyonline.com/el-tov-set-to-release-country-alternative-songs-on-good-friday/.
- ↑ (in en) SUPERBUG: Traces of 12 antibiotics found in river, crops in Kumasi, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTvlzki1Wv4, retrieved 2024-01-29
- ↑ "Medical waste from KATH contaminates river used to irrigate farms - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2019-11-25. https://www.myjoyonline.com/medical-waste-from-kath-contaminates-river-used-to-irrigate-farms/.
- ↑ (in en) Broken sewage carrying waste from 3 health institutions to be reconstructed, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-MjvEqhonE, retrieved 2024-01-29
- ↑ "Trickling credit: mobile phone users in Ghana pay for unknown subscriptions - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2022-01-07. https://www.myjoyonline.com/trickling-credit-mobile-phone-users-in-ghana-pay-for-unknown-subscriptions/.
- ↑ Okyere, Gertrude (2022-01-07). "mobile phone users in Ghana pay for unknown subscriptions" (in en-US). https://www.adomonline.com/trickling-credit-mobile-phone-users-in-ghana-pay-for-unknown-subscriptions/.
- ↑ (in en) Trickling Credit: Mobile phone users in Ghana pay for unknown subscriptions - News Desk, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WWABx8ZH7Q, retrieved 2024-01-29
- ↑ (in en) Trickling Credit: Mobile phone users in Ghana pay for unknown subscriptions- Adom TV (10-1-22), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf2kyykeuE4, retrieved 2024-01-29
- ↑ "2 journalists from the Multimedia Group win WHO’s Road Safety Reporting Contest - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2022-02-28. https://www.myjoyonline.com/2-journalists-from-the-multimedia-group-win-whos-road-safety-reporting-contest/.
- ↑ Agyeman, Adwoa (2022-03-01). "Two journalists from the Multimedia Group win WHO’s Road Safety Reporting Contest" (in en-US). https://www.adomonline.com/two-journalists-from-the-multimedia-group-win-whos-road-safety-reporting-contest/.
- ↑ "When the truck is long: Ghana's outdated roads - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2021-11-30. https://www.myjoyonline.com/when-the-truck-is-long-ghanas-outdated-roads/.
- ↑ "Costly cartoons: Ghana’s underprivileged pupils can’t access science animations - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2022-12-06. https://www.myjoyonline.com/costly-cartoons-ghanas-underprivileged-pupils-cant-access-science-animations/.
- ↑ "JoyNews' Kwasi Debrah, Francisca Enchill win big at WAMECA 2023 - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2023-11-12. https://www.myjoyonline.com/joynews-kwasi-debrah-francisca-enchill-win-big-at-wameca-2023/.
- ↑ "Multimedia journalists sweep GJA awards in Ashanti region - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2019-06-01. https://www.myjoyonline.com/multimedia-journalists-sweep-gja-awards-in-ashanti-region/.
- ↑ "Journalism Contest Winners Highlight the Human Toll of Poor Road Safety Around the Globe" (in en). https://www.icfj.org/news/journalism-contest-winners-highlight-human-toll-poor-road-safety-around-globe.
- ↑ "JoyNews' Medical stringer Neta Parsram and Kwasi Debrah win Merck Foundation West Africa Fertility Award - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2022-01-13. https://www.myjoyonline.com/joynews-medical-stringer-neta-parsram-and-kwasi-debrah-win-merck-west-africa-fertility-award/.
- ↑ "Winners: SEJ 19th Annual Awards for Reporting on the Environment | SEJ" (in en). 2020-07-02. https://www.sej.org/winners-sej-19th-annual-awards-reporting-environment.
- ↑ "JoyNews' Emmanuel Kwasi Debrah honoured at Society of Environmental Journalists 2020 Awards - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2021-04-23. https://www.myjoyonline.com/joynews-emmanuel-kwasi-debrah-honoured-at-society-of-environmental-journalists-2020-awards/.
- ↑ "JoyNews’ Kwasi Debrah honoured by Ghana Science Association - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2023-03-10. https://www.myjoyonline.com/joynews-kwasi-debrah-honoured-by-ghana-science-association/.
- ↑ Awal, Mohammed (2022-11-28). "Engineers can help the country grow – Ing. Rev. Prof. Adams" (in en-GB). https://thebftonline.com/2022/11/28/engineers-can-help-the-country-grow-ing-rev-prof-adams/.
- ↑ "JoyNews' Kwasi Debrah honoured by Ghana Institution of Engineering - MyJoyOnline" (in en-US). 2022-11-24. https://www.myjoyonline.com/joynews-kwasi-debrah-honoured-by-ghana-institution-of-engineering/.
- ↑ "MFWA announces 21 finalists for WAMECA 2019" (in en-US). 2019-10-01. https://www.africannewspage.net/2019/10/mfwa-announces-21-finalists-for-wameca-2019/.
- ↑ kwaku (2021-10-06). "West Africa Media Excellence Awards 2021: List of Finalists" (in en-GB). https://www.mfwa.org/wameca/west-africa-media-excellence-awards-2021-list-of-finalists/.
- ↑ kwaku (2022-10-11). "West Africa Media Excellence Awards 2022: List of Finalists" (in en-GB). https://www.mfwa.org/wameca/west-africa-media-excellence-awards-2022-list-of-finalists/.
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