Ghana’s renowned, multi-award-winning investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure, has penned a heartfelt tribute to his old schoolmate, Nisirine Mensah-Doku, popularly known as Naa Ashorkor.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account, he celebrated her unwavering hard work and consistency since 2006. Below is the full tribute:
“When I arrived at Peduase Valley Resort for Yvonne Nelson’s book launch, the first familiar face I saw was Naa Ashorkor. After exchanging not-so-pleasant pleasantries, I told her how proud I was of her. She wasn’t used to hearing kind words from me, so she probably treated that compliment like a political promise or how I’d treat one from Abdul Hayi Moomen.
Naa Ashorkor was the emcee for the book launch, and I sat through, admiring her eloquence, intelligence, and humor. She is a master of her craft.
When I gained admission to the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) in 2006, Nisirine Mensah-Doku was one of the 48 students admitted for a degree in Communication Studies. While we were still finding our footing on campus, she was already a TV host on TV Africa, presenting the morning show and later hosting Sound Splash, a weekend music program.
The owner of TV Africa, Kwaw Ansah, a strong advocate for African heritage, required presenters to use African names on air—so Nisirine became Naa Ashorkor.
From TV presentation, she transitioned into acting, starring in Shirley Frimpong-Manso’s “Perfect Picture.”
Whenever I saw her on TV, I proudly declared, ‘She’s in my class!’ I would have flaunted photos with her, but back then, phones were dumb, and humans were smart. Those who owned camera phones belonged to a social class I could only aspire to join.
In class, I never admitted to Naa Ashorkor that I “collected fans” using her name. The ladies in our class often said I had a sharp tongue, and I would joke, ‘Get my autograph now before I become important and ignore you.’
Because our class was small, everyone knew everyone. Some students were withdrawn for allegedly falsifying their SSSCE results. One popular guy never confirmed or denied the accusations; he simply stopped attending class. If anyone called, he’d whisper, ‘I’m in the banking hall, I’ll call back.’ Hopefully, he’ll complete his transaction and return the call someday.
Our class was filled with banter, often brutal. The ladies teased us as ‘small boys,’ and Doris Baidoo, in particular, never missed a chance to remind us that our future wives were still in high school or junior high. I, as one of the “meanest” boys in class, was the de facto spokesperson for my gender, retorting that we were happy to let others take our ‘old women’ while we waited for younger ladies.
Outside the classroom, however, I bragged about the only movie star in my class. When ASEM became a music sensation, I told friends, ‘He’s from my school.’ But with Naa Ashorkor, it felt closer and carried more weight.
From that small GIJ class have emerged many influential figures making an impact at home and abroad. I single out Naa Ashorkor today for her remarkable and inspiring work ethic.
She tasted fame early in life but never allowed its intoxicating effects to cloud her discipline. Even before she became a gym enthusiast, she never let the ‘calories of fame’ swell her head.
(By the way, our class had a student with an unusually large head—something that would have fascinated phrenologists. Today, he is a lawyer in the UK, and for fear of legal repercussions, I won’t mention his name. However, Shaibu Abubakar Adama deserves a Guinness World Record for fathering three sets of twins.)
Despite her success in acting, Naa Ashorkor never abandoned journalism. She has excelled as a broadcaster at Starr FM, Joy FM, Asaase Radio, and now co-hosts TV3’s morning show.
Beyond the media, she is the CEO of April Communications, collaborating with George Quaye’s Image Bureau to produce stage plays in Ghana and beyond. She is not only a producer but also an actress in these productions. Additionally, she is learning how to direct.
While juggling multiple roles, Naa Ashorkor has also pursued academic excellence. She returned to GIJ for a master’s degree in Public Relations, completed an LLB at the University of Ghana, and is currently studying at the Ghana School of Law.
Dear Naa Ashorkor, this is not a eulogy or an apology for my sharp tongue. As a journalist, producer, law student, actor, and mother, it takes immense hard work to balance these roles and still excel. If you breathed your last today, this is what I would write. But it is better said while you are alive.
I am immensely proud of you—and I mean it.”
Multi-award-winning ace journalist and actress Naa Ashorkor has a life worth celebrating and continues to inspire many young women at home and abroad. As she aspires to be called to the Bar, we wish her continued success in all her endeavors.
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