Growing up, I knew that chasing my dreams wouldn’t be easy. But my story is one of resilience, perseverance, and determination. My name is Victoria Abugri, and I’m a young girl with a passion for achieving greatness.
As a student at the University of Media, Arts and Communication, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges. However, I’ve always been driven to succeed. During my Level 300 first semester, I landed an internship at GHOneTV, a renowned media outlet in Ghana.
What’s remarkable about my internship experience is that I could have started as early as Level 100. Unfortunately, opportunities were scarce, and I had to wait. But I didn’t let that setback discourage me. Instead, I used the delay to prepare myself, honing my skills and building my confidence.
There were moments I doubted my career choice. But with encouragement from my mentor, Umaru Sanda Amadu – a broadcast journalist anchoring at Citi FM/Channel One TV – I found the motivation to improve myself.
My experience at GHOneTV was amazing, with a supportive team that taught me valuable skills.
One of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences was covering the 2024 elections. With only a week to go before the elections, I was tasked with reporting from the Upper East region in the Garu District. As an intern and first-time election reporter, I was nervous. Despite logistical challenges and the lack of accreditation, my editor, Alice Aryeetey, ensured I received an ID card before I left due to security concerns.
On the day of my departure, Alice had to visit the office and speak to HR to expedite the process. I waited until the card was ready, but because I was in a hurry, my name was misspelled. Instead of Victoria Abugri, it read Victoria Abigail. However, my picture was on it.
On Election Day, December 7, 2024, I woke up at 2:00 AM to prepare. I arrived at the polling station, gathered details, and visited the EC office in the Garu District. During my reporting, I captured footage of a police officer sleeping on the job and forwarded the visuals to my editor. The image went viral, and I faced backlash from some police officers and coworkers.
After a long day, I reported on the voting process and accompanied EC officials for the vote count. Despite the criticism and challenges, I persevered. I bought bread and a drink, knowing I had to stay at the EC office until the following day. At this point, everything seemed to be going wrong – I hadn’t eaten all day. But I recalled my mentor Umaru Sanda Amadu’s words: “Determination is a key driver to success.”
The election results were announced at 8:30 AM the following day.
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that determination and perseverance are essential for success. I encourage fellow young people to embrace these qualities, push through obstacles, and stay committed to their craft.
The writer, Victoria Abugri is a student at the University of Media, Arts and Communication, pursuing Public Relations in Communications. She’s a budding journalist with a passion for storytelling and a determination to succeed.
