The Mirror Editor retires after 34 years of service

Her departure from the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) will bring sorrow, joy or bittersweetness to many.

Sorrow to those who have known and worked closely with her for many years, but joy to those who in one way or the other crossed her path and perhaps, did not have a good relationship with her.

But like one of her popular sayings, “Wonnkae me ennsu a, wobekae me asere,” to wit, “If you don’t remember me and cry, you will and laugh.”

Mr Morgan Fianko Asiedu (right), Chief Executive Officer, Africa Bible Centre for Disciple-Making (ABCD)presenting some books to Ms Janet Quartey (middle), Editor, The Mirror while Apostle Jude Hama, President, ABCD look on.

Moreover, that is the cross every leader must carry, some to hate and others to love. It will be irrational to be loved by all.

That is the story of the outgoing Editor of The Mirror, Ms Janet Kwatiorkor Quartey, popularly known as Auntie Jane or Mama Jane.

Ms Janet Quartey (2nd left), Editor of The Mirror in an elbow shake with Mrs Mavis Kitcher (3rd right), Director, News as Mr Kobby Asmah (2nd right), Editor, Daily Graphic, Ms Kate Baaba Hudson (left), Editor, Foreign Desk and Mr Enoch Frimpong (right), Deputy Editor, Graphic Online applaud.

Ms Quartey officially began her terminal leave on July 29, prior to retirement from August 27, 2020.

Testimonies
In the words of the Night Editor of the Daily Graphic who once worked under Auntie Jane, Mr Vance Azu, the retiree was a loving, caring, compassionate and benevolent leader.

Ms Janet Quartey (middle), Editor of The Mirror joined by Mr Kobby Asmah (3rd right), Editor, Daily Graphic and some staff of the Daily Graphic.

“I have worked under three women who are tough, including Auntie Jane. What I have learnt is that if you learn to live with her, you will always enjoy her company, and vice-versa,” he said.

Happy retirement! As the Chief Sub Editor of the Daily Graphic, Mr Zacharia Alhassan (left) tells Auntie Jane.

According to him, you would never put up good behaviour or produce a good story for it to go unnoticed by Mama Jane. "She will personally call you and give you a thumbs up, a gesture I have enjoyed countless times. In the same vein, she will literally descend on you when you refuse to do your work," he noted.

The Graphic Security team wanted to have their last picture with Ms Quartey.

Mr Azu added that, “Auntie Jane is always willing to help when she is called upon in any way — a selfless leader who always inspires.
"Some of us have had the opportunity to enjoy freebies from her due to her giving nature,” he said heartily.

Ms Quartey (3rd left), being presented with her gift from The Mirror team.

For the outgoing editor, she explained to this reporter that, "I do all these things for the sake of the work, and nothing else. Afterwards, I have no issue with you since we are to work for the good of the company."

Playwright Latif Abubakar presented a cake to Ms Quartey.

This notwithstanding, she has also had bad times with some working colleagues and subordinates, a situation she has not shied away from.

“I know what I have gained from Graphic, so I will not allow anybody to do anything to bring the company down. I think people have had challenges with me because of how I work to protect the company. You may not like my working spirit, but that is me,” she said.

The Online team was there to support.

I have personally benefitted immensely from her teachings and editing skills — nothing easily escapes her red pen.

Graphic journey
After struggling for some time after completing the prestigious Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) in 1984, she got an opportunity to string for the Daily Graphic for two years.

Ms Quartey (middle), being mobbed by the members of the Design Unit.

By dint of hard work, Ms Quartey proved her worth and was finally handed her employment letter on February 3, 1986, a day she would never forget because she had longed for it.

The Sports team helping the retiree to cut her cake.

Having worked dutifully, Ms Quartey was later transferred to the Cape Coast Regional office of the company where she was made the Regional Manager and Correspondent with the responsibility to manage the affairs of the regional office.

Ms Quartey sandwiched by Mrs Zenobia Beecham (left) and Ms Victoria Odoi after the inauguration of the Graphic Ladies Club.

“This was challenging because the manager at the time had been involved in a scandal. So two weeks in Cape Coast and I was left with no option than to supervise every work that went on there.

"I was determined to do it well even though I had no formal training in management. I was poised to bring my skills to bear and protect my integrity and the company.

Ms Quartey shows appreciation to Mr Stephen Gbadegbe and Daniel Appea for their parting gift.

“I added this task to my reporting duties, for almost seven years, travelling to the nook and cranny of the Central Region to report on anything newsworthy. That really gave me a wealth of experience," she recounted.

“I remember reporting consistently on a mentally deranged who was setting fire to ECG transformers in Cape Coast. A police officer later tracked him down.

Ms Quartey and brother, Eric Quartey.

"This led to the officer's promotion. He sent me a touching thank you note for my reports which caught the attention of his superiors, leading to his promotion. These things give me joy and moments I can never forget,” she recalled.

Ms Quartey (2nd right) and her study group at the University of Ghana.

She was later transferred on health grounds back to the head office in Accra as the Deputy Chief Sub Editor of the Daily Graphic.

She was appointed as Editor of The Mirror in 2011 after serving as Assistant Editor for three years.
 
‘General Officer Commanding’
One name many do not know Auntie Jane for is ‘General Officer Commanding’, to which she responds, “Yes sah marlam sah.”  

We are graduates at long last! From left: Ms Kate Baaba Hudson, the late Kojo Atsu, and Ms Quartey as they admire their certificates after their graduation from GIJ in 1984.

She was given that name by her colleagues and seniors at Graphic for her boldness and sense of professionalism.

This was after she was summoned to the dreaded Gondar Barracks during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) days to explain a story she did which was not "palatable" to the then Chief of Staff.

Auntie Jane relishes her moments at Graphic and having given her all for the company for the past 36 years, two years unofficial, she looks into the future with hope and a sense of fulfilment.

Ms Quartey (left), receiving a prize from Mr Severious Kale-Dery (right) of the Daily Graphic.

“I am going on retirement with joy because I know what I have given and gained from this company. It's been fulfilling and fruitful,” she stated.

Beats
As a journalist, she covered a number of beats such as the airport, politics, sanitation, gender, children, health, tribunal, court and crime.

She later specialised in education reporting, such that both colleagues and editors made reference to her anytime they needed some clarifications in the sector.

She has gained so much recognition as a professional.

Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh (3rd left supports Ms Quartey, (left) Central Regional Manager and Mr Joseph Sampson, (2nd left) Circulation Clerk, to present wheelchairs to two ladies in the Central Region.

At a point, she became the "special correspondent" for probes — covering most of the probes and enquiries during the PNDC era.

Ms Quartey covered the Consultative Assembly that drafted the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

She attended and covered the Beijing Conference on Women and Development in 1995.

Aside from that, she has travelled to different parts of the world for professional training and programmes.

Educational background
Ms Quartey attended Krobo Girls’ Middle Boarding School, Odumase-Krobo and continued to Labone Secondary School, La-Accra, where she obtained her Ordinary Level certificate in 1979.

She proceeded to the University Practice Secondary School in Cape Coast for her Advanced Level certificate in 1981.

She then enrolled at the Ghana Institute of Journalism where she pursued a Diploma in Journalism programme.

Down but not out! Pull, pull, pull , Ms Quartey inspires the Newspaper’s Department female tug of peace team to win trophies.

She had her undergraduate programme at the University of Ghana and later a Master’s degree in Communication Studies at the School of Communication Studies, Legon.

“I went to GIJ for the sake of furthering my education to better place me in the job market. But today, I do not regret my actions. I am particularly grateful to mother Graphic, my colleagues, especially Mrs Zenobia Beecham, the late Kojo Atsu and all who played a key role in nurturing and moulding me to become who I am today,” she said.

Ms Quartey (2nd left), being supported by her children and her daughter-in-law.

Ms Quartey also had a practical attachment, now internship, with the Ghana News Agency, GIJ newspaper, Combat, Volta River Authority, Akosombo, and a private newspaper in Monrovia, Liberia while at GIJ.

Protection for journalists
As a stakeholder in the media, Ms Quartey thinks the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the National Media Commission must do more to protect journalists.

According to her, the GJA ought to form a strong union or join the Trades Union Congress to fight for better conditions of service for journalists.

Mother time for the album! Ms Quartey and Eugene (left) and Derrick Quainoo in Cape Coast.

For members in the inky fraternity, she advised that “the focus of every journalist should be the common good of society. And that should be your watchword”.

“As a journalist, you should not mix friendship with your profession, else you wouldn’t go far. Once you stop being a professional, know that your end has come,” she advised.

The entire Mirror team wishes her success and happiness in the new phase of her life.