Broadcast journalist, John Essien has been adjudged the Outstanding Student Journalist at the maiden edition of the KNUST eminence awards held on Friday Night.
The Head of News department at Focus FM makes history by becoming the first to win this category as part of this year’s edition of the KNUST Eminence awards which was on the theme; Inspiring Greatness, Celebrating Excellence.
He was among over 30 other students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology who were awarded for their exceptional roles as students of the University.
The prolific student journalist was tipped by many as the obvious choice for the category having consistently hosted a number of educative talk shows and results-oriented reports on several issues within and outside the campus.
John Essien, the current News Editor at the official radio station of KNUST, Focus 94.3FM has over the years grown to be one of Ghana’s revered campus journalists.
He is the host of Focus FM’s flagship talk-shows, Leadership Corner,  Election360 among other talk shows.
His clarity of expression, insightful analysis, comprehensive reports, and documentaries and his extraordinary interviews set him apart from the competition.
Essien’s impeccable interviews has given him the opportunity to interview key personalities including the current Railways and Development minister, Joe Gharetey, Forbes business coach and the founder of Pursue your purpose LLC, Tamiko Cuellar.
Aside from his role as a campus journalist, John Essien doubles as the Ashanti Regional Correspondent for Class 91.3 FM in Accra.
He has covered a number of events and reported on several happenings in the Ashanti Region.
He has also received several accolades from students and lecturers for his rigor and accuracy in regularly finding new stories and reporting them. 
The awards, over the past 4 years has been organized by RAD Communications at the Ghana Institute of Journalism campus. And seeks to award students who excel in the various niches that they have chosen outside the lecture halls that otherwise may not have been recognized — be it in their talents; music, poetry, fashion, humanitarian, entrepreneurial skills and the likes.