Abigail Bonsu bows out of active service

After almost four decades of service to the Graphic Communications Group, the Chief Sub-Editor of the Daily Graphic, Ms Abigail Bonsu, has bowed out of active service.

Auntie Abi, as she was affectionately called in the newsroom, joined the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) in 1983 as a young reporter and rose through the ranks to the position of a Chief Sub-Editor in 2014.

Known for her meticulous attention to detail, Ms Bonsu served as the News Editor of the Daily Graphic for almost 10 years.

When GCGL decided to go digital in the early 2000s, the mantle fell on her as the online editor.

During a get-together organised in her honour on Friday, June 28, 2019, the company’s directors, editors, and journalists paid glowing tribute to her for her immense contribution to the growth and development of the company, particularly for her firm stance on doing things the right way.

She was also commended for her strict enforcement of rules which brought order and discipline in the newsroom.

Testimonies

The Managing Director of GCGL, Mr Ato Afful, applauded her for her religious commitment to work.

“A woman who came here as a petite girl and has worked here for close to 40 years should tell you something.

It should tell you about her character, discipline, focus, purpose and determination to do things well,” he said.

He entreated the company’s journalists to sustain Ms Bonsu’s legacy by putting in their best, “You will give her honour and pride of place in this business when in spite of all the challenges this industry is going through, you put in your best to sustain it,” he added.

The Director, News, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, noted that Ms Bonsu had been a great influence in her life as a “counsellor”.

“We all recognise your contributions to the Daily Graphic and we say a big thank you.

You were at the core of Graphic going digital and you have left an indelible mark in this company.

We know what you have done in the Graphic Newsroom.

You didn’t start and stop midway but you have been so throughout your service at Graphic,” she said.

Appreciation

In her remarks, Ms Bonsu expressed her gratitude to everyone she had come across in her practice as a journalist.

She noted that her fulfilling moments had been seeing some of the young people that she worked with rise up to occupy responsible positions in the organisation, especially in the newsroom.

She added that the most challenging moment of her profession was when she was appointed as the News Editor, a position which meant her senior colleagues in the regions had to report to her.

“But I had to devise a way of working with them so that I could still be their junior and yet assign them when it became necessary.

I overcame that by letting them know that I appreciated their experiences and expertise and that we had to relate because of the nature of the job,” she said.

Ms Bonsu further urged up-and- coming journalists to be committed to their work in order to reach the highest level in the profession.

“Journalism is tasking and exacting so if you are not committed to your work, you will never make it to the top,” Ms Bonsu added.

She also paid glowing tribute to some of the people who had impacted her life and career, including Mr Kojo Yankah, Mr Elvis Aryeh, the late Mr Kwamena Amponsah and the late Mr Sam Clegg.