On Thursday, December 19, 2024, Stephen Bernard Donkor was honoured as the Best Graduating Student in Journalism (Top-Up Programme) at the first session of the third congregation of the University of Media, Arts and Communication – Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ) in 2024.

He obtained a First Class Honours with an outstanding Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.8571. The prestigious award, which was presented during the university’s graduation ceremony at the Dworwulu Campus, was sponsored by Zenith Bank.

Speaking shortly after the graduation ceremony, Donkor, who is also the co-founder of the Briphildon Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, expressed his deep gratitude to God for making this reality.

He indicated that the award would go a long way to shape his professional career.

He said, “I am truly humbled about this award, not only for the just-ended ceremony but also for the long-term partnership between Zenith Bank and UniMAC-IJ. I hope this award will inspire students to strive for excellence and positively impact their fields. Thank you, Zenith Bank, for this incredible opportunity”.

Nana Nhyira, as he is affectionately called, further expressed profound gratitude to his lecturers, peers, and family for their support throughout his studies. He particularly thanked his mentors at the university, citing their guidance as pivotal to his success.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award. It’s not just a personal achievement, but a recognition of the collective support and encouragement I’ve received from all who have been part of my journey. This is a milestone that encourages me to keep pushing boundaries in the world of journalism and beyond,” he added.

In an address at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of UniMAC, Prof. Eric Opoku Mensah, congratulated the graduates and emphasised the importance of journalistic integrity in today’s rapidly changing media environment.

He urged graduates to be audacious in their endeavours, empathetic in their dealings and unyielding in the face of obstacles. He said they must be ready to confront challenges head-on and unleash their potential to make a significant impact in society.

Prof. Mensah said the graduates were not only being honoured for their academic accomplishments but also for their resilience, creativity, and potential to make a positive change in the world.

In all, a total of 1,242 graduated from the UniMAC-Institute of Journalism, Institute of Languages, and Institute of Film and Television, with 355 of them being male and 887 females.

AM/AE

Watch some videos from the recent Parliamentary sittings below: