Joseph Ackon-Mensah
Teaching And Journalism
Cape Coast
Summary
Dynamic, 21st-century teacher and educational expert prioritising higher order thinking skills, effective communication and team working.
Journalist driven by hard news story crafting and telling skills centred on issues affecting rural and vulnerable people
Proven debate coach skilled in identifying debating potentials and training high school debaters for national competitions
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Journalist
Freelance, Media Foundation For West Africa, Citi 97.3 FM, ATL 100.5 FM
Cape Coast
01.2015 - Current
- Freelancer; COVID-19 Fact-checker for Media Foundation for West Africa; Regional Reporter for Citi 97.3 FM; Internship at ATL 100.5 FM (Univ. of Cape Coast);
- Researched and gathered information to develop accurate and credible stories from the Central Region of Ghana.
- Wrote, edited and produced stories for Internet and digital channels.
- Trained in Investigative Journalism by the African Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA-GHANA)
- Volunteered as a COVID-19 Fact-checker for the Media Foundation for West Africa in 2020.
- Trained in election reporting by STAR-Ghana
- Investigated and produced audio documentaries on rural areas and national issues such as effects of illegal gold mining.
- Applied understanding of public opinion, social media, and traditional media use to create engaging and attention-grabbing stories.
- Utilized Microsoft Office, Adobe Audition and others to produce professional media contents for publications.
Teaching (Head of Department)
Ghana Education Service
Saltpond
09.2011 - Current
- Head of Languages Department of Mfantsiman Girls Senior High School, Saltpond, supervising 35 teachers
- Teaching and assessing in English Language and Literature-in-English since 2011
- Heads of a four-member debate coaching team that trained students to win national laurels.
- Trained as a Coordinator for Professional Learning Community by T-TEL
- Trained in educational leadership and professional competence by INTED Africa
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility to meet targets.
- Developed strong communication and organizational skills through working on group projects and resolving inter-teacher conflicts.
- Trained departmental teachers during Professional Learning Community (PLC) sessions weekly.
- Did sit-in lesson monitoring in classrooms.
- Gave inputs for Language curriculum improvements
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for teacher supervision and student assessment.
Education
M.Phil - English
University of Education, Winneba (UEW)
Winneba 01.2022 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Jayee University College (In Affiliation With UEW)
Accra 01.2014 - 12.2015
Bachelor of Education - English Education
University of Education, Winneba
Winneba 08.2007 - 07.2011
Skills
Investigations expertise
Media operations knowledge
Interviewing skill
Story development
Radio broadcasting
Public opinion understanding
Environmental, Economic and Political Reporting expert
Copy Editing
Social media proficiency
MS Office
Written Communication
Data Entry
Training debaters, reading, watching football
Trained senior high school debaters of Mfantsiman Girls SHS, Saltpond, and won the grand finale of the National Senior High Schools Independence Day Debate Competition in 2020, 2022, and as runner-ups in 2023.
Timeline
M.Phil - English
University of Education, Winneba (UEW)
01.2022 - Current
Journalist
Freelance, Media Foundation For West Africa, Citi 97.3 FM, ATL 100.5 FM
01.2015 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Jayee University College (In Affiliation With UEW)
01.2014 - 12.2015
Teaching (Head of Department)
Ghana Education Service
09.2011 - Current
Bachelor of Education - English Education
University of Education, Winneba
08.2007 - 07.2011