I left journalism to the corporate world because of my children, health issues — Emefa Apawu

Award-winning journalist and former broadcaster with the Multimedia Group, Emefa Apawu, has revealed that she left the newsroom for the corporate world to prioritise her children and attend to her health.

Emefa, who spent several years anchoring the news on Joy FM and the Joy News channel, said the demanding nature of the media space was taking a heavy toll on her family life and personal wellbeing.

Speaking on the ‘Talk No Dey Cook Rice’ podcast, she asserted that being a single mother of two meant she had to make difficult choices, especially as her daughter is nearing adulthood.

“I was working six days a week, sometimes seven days a week. It was strange for my son to see me at home during the day. When he saw me during the day, he was like, ‘Is everything okay?’ And that was not how I wanted to raise my children,” she said.

“My daughter is turning 18 in December, and the larger part of her life, I have not been there. I can’t be saying I’m a mother when everything I do is just chasing. Journalism is not rewarding. This space, facts, is not rewarding,” the media personality added.

She also disclosed that she had health challenges which made her pause and reflect on her life and career path.

That reflection, she said, led to a spiritual decision to walk away from frontline media work.

Emefa further clarified that her job as the Corporate Affairs Manager at the Petroleum Hub was not the result of a political or executive appointment, as has been speculated, but an intentional transition.