The family of the late Dr. Doris Yaa Dartey has launched two books to mark the first anniversary of the passing of the renowned journalist.

The books titled “The Watch Woman” and “When Breast Cancer Strikes” were launched last Wednesday in Accra.

“The Watch Woman” is a compilation of features and articles written by the late Dr. Dartey during the 12-years that she wrote in The Spectator newspaper as columnist. The book focuses on issues pertaining to the environment, sanitation, health, children, gender, politics, economics, and human rights.”

“When Breast Cancer Strikes,” on the other hand recounts Dr Dartey’s six years personal experience with breast cancer.

In a review, Dr Lord Mawuko Yevugah, a political economist, described “The Watch Woman” as “an important addition to the repertoire of social, political and economic history of this country and a very useful reference for future historians and people who would wish to capture contemporary issues for posterity.”

Dr Florence Dedey, a Surgeon commended the book “When Breast Cancer Strikes” as it, among other things, campaigns for seeking early diagnosis and regular breast screening among other for achieving the fight against breast cancer.

Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, who launched the book “The Watch Woman” described the late Dr Dartey “as bold and assertive and an exceptional writer”, and charged journalists to follow the steps of the author to excel in their journalism field.

Mr Affail Monney, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), touched on the polarisation of the media landscape in the country and advised practitioners to perform their functions devoid of partisan politics.

“The best tribute Ghanaian journalists can pay to Dr. Dartey is to let her qualities nourish their journalistic output at all times.

“The GJA would do all it can to immortalise Dr Dartey’s name for her abosulte fidelity to the fundamental principles of journalism and titanium tenacity to cause of social activism.” he said.

He further challenged the media community to produce more seasoned journalists like the “iconic” Dr Dartey.

Former Editor of Ghanaian Times and former President of the GJA, Ms Ajoa Yeboah-Afari launched the second book “When Breast Cancer Strikes” and called on women to periodically go for checkups to ensure they were always at the peak of the stable health conditions.

Mr Kwasi Djan Apenteng, Board Member of the Doris Dartey Foundation, pledged to personally fund a ‘Doris Dartey Award’ for the best student journalist in features writing in subsequent GJA awards.

The chairperson for the occasion, Madam Elizabeth Adjei, former Director General of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) said that the late Dr Doris Dartey was an extraordinary journalist, who was dedicated to serving her country through her writings.

Three copies of each book were auctioned at GH₵6,600.00 and the proceeds donated to The Doris Dartey Foundation.  The books are available at local bookshops across the country for GH¢200 for ‘The Watchwoman’ and GH¢100 for ‘When Breast Cancer Strikes’.

By Portia Hutton-Mills