Accra, Nov 29, GNA – Media General’s multiple award-winning journalists, Madam Portia Gabor, who was recently crowned Ghana Journalists Association’s (GJA) Journalist of the Year, has added another on her awards list by winning the MTN Hero of change award.
A statement issued by Media General and copied to the Ghana News Agency said she was among 10 other persons awarded the MTN Hero of Change, 2022 on Thursday, November 24, 2022.
It said the award comprised the citation, GHS 20, 000 and the coveted title, “Hero of Change”.
The statement said the award-winning journalist selection for the award was in recognition of her impactful reporting on COVID-19 when the novel virus was at its peak and represented an existential threat worldwide.
It noted that the disease was then ravaging the world with several death casualties by the day but portia placed her life on the line to interview a survivor to bring knowledge and hope about surviving the disease to Ghanaians.
It said Madam Gabor expressed surprise at the nomination and only found out on the day of the awards that one Yayra Ocloo had put her name out as someone who deserved to be recognized.
It said she shared the experience of having to take extra care to avoid contraction of the virus while in the field and recognized the support of her husband and family who did not shun her even when she had been amid COVID-19 patients but supported her to persevere.
It said Madam Gabor dedicates the award especially to Fredrick Drah, the first COVID-19 patient and the first survivor in Ghana, held and treated at the Ga East municipal health centre who overlooked the stigma suffered by COVID 19 patients at the time and gave her the chance to tell his story.
It said she also dedicated the award to the frontline health workers whom she said gave her the access and much needed information at a time when the entire world was still trying to understand the novel virus, when there was no standard medication and when the modes of transmission were still being debated.
The statement said Madam Gabor was full of praise for her crew and acknowledged the camera operators, Phillip Katsitiku and Prince Affum as well as the entire management and staff of media general who supported her work during the period under review.
“I feel humbled by the female pacesetters in the industry, Madam Gifty Afenyi Dadzie, Dr Joyce Aryee…” who she says have personally congratulated her amid an outpour of cheers from the public.
The statement said the elated Madam Gabor had used this unexpected, but well-deserved honor to position herself as a mentor for up-and-coming youth who aspire to do journalism.
In her own words; “the result of hard work, is more work” in recognition of the journey ahead to make more impact in society.
GNA