JOHNNIE BERESFORD HUGHES JNR is a quick-witted journalist, consummate communications professional and multi-talented broadcaster.

He attended the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, and The Institute of Commercial Management in the UK, where he obtained an Advanced Diploma in Business Studies and Diploma in Journalism & Media Studies.

Johnnie Hughesas,  he is affectionately called, is currently the host of Community Connect  and Election Zone, two programmes of on 3FM 92.7 Mhz.

He has previously worked closely with the USAID, Johns Hopkins University and the Ghana Health Service to produce and air Ghana’s first television health quiz programme: ‘The Goodlife Game Show’ on Viasat 1.

Prior to that, he was the morning show host on erstwhile Pravda Radio, a regular voice on Pluzz FM and a presenter at TV Africa.

Earlier in 2008, he captained choral group BIB to win the Most Exciting Band Award on TV3’s Bands Alive – Season One.

In 2009, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) crowned him a national debate champion at its first Jaw-Jaw Contest.

Later in 2010, he was unanimously voted Overall Best Student at the British Council’s Master-Class for Presenters and Producers…and, recently, in 2016 he was named Universal Inspirational Poet at the Pentasi ‘B’ World Friendship Festival.

Johnnie Hughes (JH) gets up close and personal with online journalist Nana Afrane Asante (NA)

NA: How lucky are you and why?

JH: I am lucky because I am a gifted and sharp young man and I have had what I wanted in life and I thank God for that.

NA: What was the last gift you gave someone?

JH: The last gift I gave was to my mum. I give her gifts now and then. I bought her a necklace in town and that was 3 weeks ago and because she is very close to me, I love her so much

NA: Your first kiss?

JH: I don’t remember but it’s been a very long time trust me but it was a very good one. Back in the day she was in St. Mary’s Secondary School and we had gone for a congress when I was an SRC president/Compound Prefect and I represented at the dinner and that was when I had my very first kiss and it was a good one.

NA: What motivates you?

JH: A lot of things motivate me. One is the life that my father who lived on this earth before he died. My father always says this with pride. He was the first technical man to ever rise in the higher ranks in the Ghana Prisons Service. The fifth man in charge of the Service. The current hierarchy of the Ghana Prisons was recruited by my dad back in 1989 when he was leaving office. The CEPS headquarters was constructed by him, part of BNI, Military academy and training school, Prisons Inter-denominational Churches etc. I want to give some credits to Mr. Kwesi Kyei Darkwa (KKD). He is my achievement since I came in contact with him. A lot of people think he is just flashy but the dude is very deep. He has some key lessons about life that he would want to teach. He calls me every now and then to check up on me to give me some few tips. What I’m doing now he’s done it and sold all the franchise for it.

NA: What were you like in high school?

JH: In high school, I was a science student and I was part of the writers and debaters club. I was also in the school drama club in 2001. I was one of the few students from Ghana who had the chance to hold the Queens Baton jubilee relay came to Ghana. Those things came up because I was very good. I was more than an average student. My nickname in school was ‘Saint Optical’ but back in school I was a good boy.

NA: What’s your favourite radio and TV station?

JH: My favorite radio station is 3FM. Not because I work here but it’s the difference we have brought in the radio and media landscape including talent we have lined up and I know the quality in broadcasting. I also know the leadership and vision under which I’m working with. The philosophy of the station speaks to the older and younger folks and I’m excited to be part of this team. I have come a long way with Tv3 because way back in 2008, Tv3 organized bands alive and I was part of it. I was a lead singer for the most exciting band called BIB and I was awarded the most exciting performer in bands alive in 2008. We had a chance to meet the likes of Mac Tonto, Ben Brako etc. From its top notch news, movie series, mentor and even Ghana’s Most Beautiful, I would want to watch it everyday.

NA: What’s your favourite fashion item?

JH: A good shirt and if I don’t find a good shirt, a nice jacket will do. I’m not a fan of watches and chains. I get reactions on my neck when I put on a chain.

NA: What’s your favourite place of Holiday?

JH: My favourite place would be in South Africa, especially the birth place of Nelson Mandela.

NA: Your ideal kind of woman?

JH: The ideal woman is the woman I have right now.

NA: What do you miss about your younger years?

JH: I miss my dad driving me to school. I miss my dad’s walkie talkie. I missed spending time at the Officers’ Mess. I missed the fact that we would travel a long distance to buy beans of which has no taste. I miss stay and “abatey”.

By Nana Afrane Asante|3news.com|Ghana

Twitter: @3Newsgh