‘Journalism found me’

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Gleaner’s Western Bureau reporter Albert Ferguson has risen from difficult beginnings as a ward of the State to being publicly recognised on Monday for his 30 years in the field of journalism, bringing citizens’ stories to life and thereby providing help for those in need.

Ferguson was the first of 15 residents of St James to be officially recognised during the 2023 staging of the National Heroes Day Civic and Awards Ceremony at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay. Of that number, he was the first of 10 awardees to receive the 2023 Sam Sharpe Award, in his case for his contribution to journalism. The other five awardees got the Mayor’s 2023 Special Award.

“First, I must say how happy I am to be recognised in the field of journalism by the people of St James through the St James Municipal Corporation and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission. It goes to show that the people of St James appreciate the work I do by telling people’s stories, and as such, they have chosen to acknowledge my contribution over the last 30 years,” Ferguson said shortly after receiving his award from Montego Bay Deputy Mayor Richard Vernon.

“Journalism actually found me. I didn’t go after it. I think my distinct voice as a commentator for sports has allowed journalism to find me and continue to nurture me in that field,” Ferguson added, referencing his start in the media world as an independent sports commentator in 1992, one year after he graduated from Anchovy High School in the parish.

Originally hailing from Hanover, and growing up in Anchovy, St James, Ferguson’s formative years saw him being intimately familiar with the trials of being a ward of the State, first residing at the Blossom Gardens Children’s Home and then at the Garland Hall Children’s Home run by the Jamaica Baptist Church Women’s Federation.

KUDOS TO THE CHURCH

“I have grown up as a ward of the State, and to have gone through that experience, to have made it to this point where I have grown beyond those challenges when I needed a shoulder to lean on in my earlier years, it was because of the church, and, in particular, the women of the Jamaica Baptist movement. I really appreciate what they did for me so I can stand here and be acknowledged for the work I am doing for the people of Jamaica,” Ferguson said with nostalgia in his tone and expression.

Following a stint in 1992 as a sports commentator, Ferguson worked with several media houses, honing his craft as a journalist. Among those entities were the Western Mirror, Irie FM, and the now-defunct Sunday Herald. Eventually, he joined The Gleaner’s Western Bureau team on a contractual basis in 2018 and soon formally became an in-house staff reporter in 2022.

Over his 30 years’ experience as a reporter, Ferguson has reported on various political stories and human-interest features that resonate with the common man. He has also borne witness to various pivotal events in Jamaica’s recent history as part of his coverage to include state visits from the late Queen Elizabeth II, former Cuban president Fidel Castro, and former Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez.

Monday’s ceremony was not Ferguson’s first time being publicly honoured for his efforts as a reporter as he was previously recognised in 2019 by the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for his contributions to the field of journalism.

In addition to his work in journalism, Ferguson serves as the active president of the Anchovy High School Alumni Association and as the Scouts Association of Jamaica’s western regional coordinator and district commissioner for scouting in Hanover.

While many would see his achievements and experiences as awe-inspiring milestones, Ferguson views his time in journalism through humble eyes as evidenced by his initial reaction when he was advised that he would be a Sam Sharpe Award recipient.

“I am not sure if I was surprised. I got the call. I was asked for a profile because I was nominated for an award, and I said thanks to the individual. When I actually got the final call to say I was selected, I said ‘Thank you for recognising my work,’ and I told them that I graciously accept the offer to be awarded this prestigious Sam Sharpe Award,” Ferguson recounted.

“Journalism has been a very good experience as it allows me to appreciate life for what it is because I meet people at various levels with various experiences in life. Through my work as a journalist, it allows me to reach out and help to tell their stories so that help can come to them and so that change can take place for people to be better off in life,” Ferguson added.

christopher.thomas@gleanerjm.com

The awardees for the 2023 National Heroes Day Civic and Awards Ceremony in St James are as follows:

SAM SHARPE AWARDEES 2023

. Albert Ferguson, reporter for The Gleaner Western Bureau, for contributing to the field of Journalism

. Gena Haughton, president of the St James Netball Foundation, for contributing to the field of Sports

. Collette Barnes, principal of Flankers Primary and Junior High School, for contributing to the field of Education

. Alen Webster, extension officer for the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, for contributing to the field of Agriculture

. Dr Carlene Grant-Davis, consulting paediatrician at the Cornwall Regional Hospital, for contributing to the field of Health

. Wayne Cummings, chief executive officer of the Arya Group of Companies, for contributing to the field of Tourism

. Bernard Wesmore Salmon, president of the Comfort Hall Community Development Committee, for contributing to the field of Community Service

. Inspector of Police Delroy Harriot, zone commander at the Barnett Street and Granville Police Stations, for contributing to the field of National Security

. Dr Alloi Allen, chief executive officer and medical director of the Oneness Health Centre, for contributing to the field of Industry and Commerce

. Kenneth “Lord Laro” Lara, musician, for contributing to the field of Arts and Culture

MAYOR’S SPECIAL AWARD 2023 RECIPIENTS

. Fitzgerald Roach, now-retired water production manager at the National Water Commission, for contributing to the field of Community Service

. Gavin Edmond, teacher at St James High School, for contributing to the field of Education

. Kenroy Wright, Marcel Biggs, and Desrick Myers, for their role in rescuing two boys from being washed away by flood waters in Tucker, St James during heavy rains on June 6 this year