Times reporter goes home today
The Ghanaian Times reporter, Samuel Nuamah, who died in the fatal presidential press corps accident on August 20, will be buried Thursday, September 17, 2015.
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The presidential correspondent will be laid to rest at the Osu Cemetery after a memorial service at the forecourt of the State House in Accra.
Biography & tributes
Described by his colleagues as affable and level-headed, Nuamah was born on July, 29, 1978, and joined the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of the Ghanaian Times, on November 1, 2007, having earlier worked there as a cub reporter.
He joined the New Times stables as a stringer for the Ghanaian Times and the Evening News in 2002. He was offered contract employment with the Ghanaian Times in 2006, and a permanent appointment as a reporter on November 1, 2007.
He was put on various beats, and in all these, he fed the Times with spectacular, thoughtful and thorough stories, and helped the paper to live up to its accolade of Ghana’s most authoritative newspaper.
In 2009, Sammy was assigned to the office of the Vice-President. There he worked assiduously to the admiration of all, such that when in 2011 he was transferred to Koforidua as the Eastern Regional Correspondent, the office of the then Vice-President, John Dramani Mahama, wrote to management for his retention.
Part of a letter contained in the NTC tribute eulogising Nuamah’s work said among other things that: “Since assuming office … nearly two years (ago) his reportage has been very satisfactory and commendable, and the office finds it prudent to appeal to your good office to allow him to continue to work with us. Wasn’t this testament enough to his competence and capabilities? “Whenever Mr. Nuamah travelled with the Presidency, in or outside Ghana, we were sure to get detailed, graphic and impressive reports, coupled with pictures, from him. He was circumspect with language, and discreet, but meticulous with detail. His exclusive interview with the lady who piloted the helicopter carrying the President in bad weather to safety in Kumasi still rings a bell! Truth be told, he was one of our very best writers!” the tribute said.
The man Samuel Nuamah
The tribute described Nuamah as someone who was “full of life, confident, energy and good humour. From China, through to Cuba, The Netherlands, Addis Ababa and New York, Germany, Washington and Brussels, he went about his duties with diligence and straddled the corridors of power with youthful exuberance; his pen never dried up, and his pages were never empty.
“We must admit that Samuel Kwame Nuamah was human, and for that matter, might have had his weaknesses. But then, at the New Times family, we hardly found any grievous faults with him. If anything at all, we shall miss him for his politeness, civility and sense of duty,” it said.
The tribute of News Editor of the Ghanaian Times, Mr Matthew Ayoo, published in the Ghanaian Times of August 21, 2015 described the late Nuamah as “a dependable and very reliable journalist with a natural flair and skill for writing. He was a perfect gentleman.
“I will remember him for sending his stories promptly, not giving me any problems.”
Among many of the late Nuamah’s colleagues at the NTC who described him as humble and friendly is Ms Anita Nyarko, a reporter of the Ghanaian Times.
“He was a cool guy and easy to work with. He taught me a lot. Anytime I had a problem, I approached him and he was more than willing to help. Personally, I’ve lost a big brother and a friend,” she added.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Affail Monnie, described Nuamah’s death as a tragedy with shattering magnitude and devastating consequences.
According to him, it was shattering because he (Nuamah) was a young man with promise and hope.
“He made his mark within the short period he practised. For him to report from the Presidency showed his level of credibility and competence.
“We were counting on him to give journalism a new meaning at a time some journalists have polluted the profession with ethical misconduct and the perpetration of mediocrity,“ he said.
Tragedy
Nuamah died on the spot in an accident at Doryumu Junction, near the Shai Hills.
He was part of a number of journalists assigned to the Presidency who were on the vehicle that was involved in the accident. Others, including the Daily Graphic’s Kwame Asare Boadu, who sustained life-threatening injuries, have been discharged.
They were initially taken to the Shai Hills Military Training School Clinic and later transferred to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.
The journalists were returning to Accra from Ho where President John Mahama had attended the annual convention of the Evangelical Presbyterian (EP) Church.
According to the police, the left rear tyre of the vehicle burst and the vehicle veered off the road.
The late Nuamah left behind a wife, Mrs Lillian Nuamah, and a child, Josiah Nhyirah Nuamah.