It was a long-overdue and deeply deserved moment of recognition for a man whose pen helped shape the cultural consciousness of a nation.

From his early days writing for The Mirror and Daily Graphic, to becoming the influential Editor of Graphic Showbiz, Nanabanyin Dadson brought clarity, depth and consistency to arts and tourism journalism in Ghana.

He did more than just report; he advocated, educated and elevated the discourse on music, theatre, film and tourism.

His impact extended beyond newspapers. His works have appeared in West Africa Magazine, African Concord, Africa Asia and even the Torino Film Festival Magazine. His name is cited in Manthia Diawara’s academic work, African Cinema, Politics and Culture - a testament to the weight his commentary carried.

Nanabanyin Dadson holds degrees in English, Performing Arts, African Studies and Communication, making him one of the few arts writers of his time with both practical and academic grounding.

He once said his mission was to “move the arts from the margins and reposition them as a serious and essential part of public discourse”.

Judging by how central the arts are in national conversations today, it’s fair to say he succeeded.

Currently serving as Head of the Department of Journalism, Visual and Digital Communication at the African University Communications and Business (AUCB), Mr Dadson continues to influence the next generation of writers and creatives.

On a personal note, I grew up reading “Back Stage with Uncle Nab” in The Mirror - a column he penned that chronicled the best in Ghanaian arts, theatre and events. Writers like him, Enimil Ashon, Merari Alomele, and Karl Mutt shaped how I understood creativity.

Years later, I was privileged to work with Uncle Nab for nearly two decades, learning directly from the source while reporting for Graphic Showbiz and writing the influential “Listening and Watching with Francis Doku” column.

As I noted in a birthday tribute to him on Facebook just last month (May 15), much of what I know about arts and cultural writing came from him.

His passion for storytelling has inspired generations. He has shown us that words can do more than inform - they can preserve culture, build bridges and spark change.

His legacy lives in every Ghanaian arts journalist who picks up the pen with purpose.

Thank you, Uncle Nab. Long may your ink flow.