Anita Erskine
{{Short description|Ghanaian TV and radio presenter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Anita Erskine
| image = File:Anitaerskinemjadala.jpg
| caption = Anita M. V. Erskine as Moderator for the African Union’s Mjadala Afrika Leadership Debate 2024.
| birth_name = Anita M. V. Erskine
| birth_date = {{Birth date |1978|12|3|df=y}}
| birth_place = Jerusalem, Israel
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| nationality = Ghanaian
| other_names =
| citizenship = Ghana
| education = McMaster University
| alma_mater = Trent University
| occupation = Media and Communications Entrepreneur, broadcaster, talk show host, Sustainability Champion
| known_for = Bold and Beautiful Omnibus Talk Show, TV3's Mentor, Pamper Your Mum, Cooking With and Making of a Mogul, The One Show, Starr Drive, Tales from the Powder Room, Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative, Sheroes of Our Time
| notable_works = Anita Erskine’s Sheroes formerly Sheroes of Our Time
| spouse =
| partner =
| children = 2
| years_active = 1998-present
| mother = Rose Anastasia Erskine
| father = Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Erskine
| relations =
| website= {{URL|www.theanitaerskine.com}}
}}
Anita Erskine (born Vered - Marian Anita Erskine; 3 December 1978) is a Ghanaian media and communications entrepreneur, broadcaster, talk show host and sustainability champion who broadcasts in both English and French, professional compère, actress and girls’ education advocate. She is the Executive Producer and host of Anita Erskine’s Sheroes (formerly Sheroes of Our Time), which airs currently on the Anita Erskine Network on YouTube. , and also airs on Akwaaba Magic on DSTV. She is also the official Host and an Advisor of Africa’s Business Heroes (formerly Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative), the Jack Ma Foundation's flagship philanthropic entrepreneur program in Africa.{{cite web |author=Brand Woman Africa |date=1 April 2020 |title=Anita Erskine appointed host of Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative 2020 |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Anita-Erskine-appointed-host-of-Africa-Netpreneur-Prize-Initiative-2020-910339 |accessdate=24 March 2021 |website=ghanaweb}}{{cite web |author=ghanaweb media |date=23 July 2020 |title=Anita Erskine |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Anita-Erskine-3866 |accessdate=24 March 2021 |website=ghanaweb.}}{{cite web | url=http://www.ghanatrade.gov.gh/Latest-News/anita-erskine-to-host-viasat-1s-the-one-show.html | title=Anita Erskine to host Viasat 1′s 'The One Show' | accessdate=9 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084218/http://www.ghanatrade.gov.gh/Latest-News/anita-erskine-to-host-viasat-1s-the-one-show.html | archive-date=4 March 2016 | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url=http://www.spectator.com.gh/i-wont-be-carried-away-%E2%80%A2-anita-erskine-discusses-career-prospects-her-move-to-starr-fm/ | title=I won't be carried away! • Anita Erskine discusses career prospects & her move to Starr FM | publisher=The Spectator | date=25 April 2015 | accessdate=9 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010134821/http://www.spectator.com.gh/i-wont-be-carried-away-%E2%80%A2-anita-erskine-discusses-career-prospects-her-move-to-starr-fm/ | archive-date=10 October 2018 | url-status=dead }}{{cite web |author=ghanaweb |date=7 November 2017 |title=Anita Erskine is new face of 'Tales from the Powder Room' |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Anita-Erskine-is-new-face-of-Tales-from-the-Powder-Room-597889 |accessdate=24 March 2021 |website=ghanaweb.}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/KKD-Anita-Erskine-to-host-Miss-Ghana-finals-255653|title = KKD & Anita Erskine to host Miss Ghana finals|date = 7 November 2012}}' {{cite web |title=Anita Erskine|url=https://www.oxfordafricaforum.com/speakers2021/anita-erskine |website=oxfordafricaforum.com}}{{cite web |title=Anita Erskine advisor|url=https://africabusinessheroes.org/en/the-community/advisors |website=oxfordafricaforum.com}}
Early life and education
Anita was born in Jerusalem, Israel, to former Ghanaian soldier and politician, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Erskine and Rose Anastasia Erskine. She was raised in Ghana and in late teens moved to Canada.{{cite web | url=http://graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/8832-lebanese-president-sleiman-honours-two-retired-military-officers.html | title=Lebanese President Sleiman honours two retired military officers | date=18 March 2013 | accessdate=9 January 2016 | author=Darfah Frimpong, Enoch |website=Graphic}} She had her Primary Education at Christ the King International School and her Secondary Education at Ghana International School.Erskine holds a Master's degree in Communications Management from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and a bachelor's degree in Cultural Studies from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.'''
Career
Anita's first TV show appearance on Ghanaian TV was in 1998 when she hosted the Bold and Beautiful Omnibus Talk Show on Metro TV. In Canada she worked as an administrative assistant and then a radio show host at FLOW 93.5 in Toronto. In 2006, she became the host of TV3's Mentor.{{cite web | url=http://graphic.com.gh/entertainment/showbiz-news/4318-anita-erskine-if-only-she-could-make-time-for-acting.html | title=Anita Erskine: If only she could make time for acting |website=Daily Graphic (Ghana)| date=15 August 2013 | accessdate=9 January 2016| author=Darfah Frimpong, Enoch}} After an audition in 2007, she became the Ghanaian correspondent for MNET's Studio 53. Later In 2009, while on maternity leave, she started to work at Viasat 1 in Ghana as the Lead Producer for the station's own programming. Upon her exit from Viasat 1 and Modern African Productions, she became the host of Ifactory Live's Pamper Your Mum, Cooking With and Making of a Mogul.{{cite web | url=http://graphic.com.gh/entertainment/showbiz-news/4318-anita-erskine-if-only-she-could-make-time-for-acting.html | title=Anita Erskine: If only she could make time for acting |website=Graphic | date=15 August 2013 | accessdate=9 January 2016 | author=Darfah Frimpong, Enoch}}{{cite web | url=http://africamagic.dstv.com/2012/11/02/interview-anita/ | title=Anita: the hardest working girl on TV | date=2 November 2012 | accessdate=9 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127113011/http://africamagic.dstv.com/2012/11/02/interview-anita/ | archive-date=27 January 2016 | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url=http://ghanasoccernet.com/efya-anita-erskine-for-movie/ | title=Efya, Anita Erskine For Movie | date=7 May 2012 | accessdate=9 January 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://ameyawdebrah.com/anita-erskine-gets-the-stars-cooking-on-new-show-on-africamagic/|title=Anita Erskine Gets The Stars Cooking On New Show On AfricaMagic - AmeyawDebrah.Com|date=6 November 2012|accessdate=21 April 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydjlive.com/anita-erskine-confirmed-as-new-host-of-the-one-show/|title = Anita Erskine confirmed as new host of the One Show|date = 10 July 2014}}
Between 2007 and early 2009, Anita was the Corporate Communications Director of Tigo (owned by Millicom), taking roles in Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo.{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanadistricts.com/news/?read=26808 |title=ACCRA :Tigo moves to help humanity |publisher=Ghana News Agency |accessdate=9 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125023543/http://www.ghanadistricts.com/news/?read=26808 |archivedate=25 January 2016 }}{{cite web | url=http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/200907/32734.php | title=Tigo: We released confidential info to police | publisher=myjoyonline | date=15 August 2009 | accessdate=9 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127043904/http://edition.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/200907/32734.php | archive-date=27 January 2016 | url-status=dead }}
She came back to Viasat 1 to "The One Show" in 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/entertainment/tv-radio/anita-erskine-returns-with-the-one-show-on-viasat-1.html|title = Anita Erskine returns with the One Show on Viasat 1}} At the same time, she also hosted +233 Discovery which was developed by the Discovery Learning Alliance - now Impact Ed International.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydjlive.com/anita-erskine-bounces-back-with-discovery-233/|title = Anita Erskine bounces back with DISCOVERY +233|date = 7 July 2015}}http://www.impacted.org/stories/why-i-empower-girls-by-anita-erskine/ {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}{{cite web| url = https://newsghana.com.gh/city-people-awards-names-anita-erskine-as-best-tv-hostess/| title = City People Awards names Anita Erskine as best TV Hostess {{!}} News Ghana}}
In 2015, she became the co host for Accra - based Starr FM's "Starr Drive" with Bola Ray and then with Giovanni Caleb. She resigned from the group in November 2017 to focus on building her social impact initiatives and strategic communications firm.{{Cite web|url=https://www.graphic.com.gh/showbiz/news/money-not-motivation-anita-erskine.html |first1=Kofi |last1=Duah |first2=Jayne |last2=Buckman-Owoo |title=Money not my motivation - Anita Erskine |date=21 March 2019 |website=Graphic |access-date=2019-03-23}}
In June 2016, she founded her Communications Consultancy, Erskine Global Communications (formerly Anita Erskine Media). She built one subsidiary called Bosslady Productions.{{Cite web |title=Glitz top 100 inspirational women – Page 100 – Glitz Africa Magazine |url=https://www.glitzafrica.com/glitz-top-100-inspirational-women/100/ |access-date=2022-05-28 |language=en-US}}
Since 2020, she has worked as a communications specialist to promote global awareness and policy change toward sustainable development through speaking engagements and event hosting. She has hosted high-level dialogues, international conferences, summits, award ceremonies, product launches, and diplomatic receptions. Her notable appearances include the Mjadala Afrika Leadership Debate 2024 at the African Union Headquarters, {{Cite web |title=Erskine and Charef: Meet dynamic duo behind Mjadala Africa debate|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001508132/erskine-and-charef-meet-dynamic-duo-behind-mjadala-africa-debate |access-date=2025-01-05|language=en-US}} the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Business Forum in Kigali, the Qatar Africa Business Forum in Marrakech, the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development Business Forum in Lomé,{{Cite web |title=Erskine and Charef: Meet dynamic duo behind Mjadala Africa debate|url=https://bidc-ebid.org/eif/en/ecowas-investment-forum/|access-date=2025-01-05|language=en-US}} and the Global Financing Facility at UNGA 79 in New York. She has also hosted the Afreximbank Group Annual Meetings and the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum in Nassau.
Host and Moderator roles
- Co – Moderator - African Union’s Mjadala Afrika Leaders Debate 2024 – Addis Ababa
- Co – Host – Qatar Africa Business Forum 2024 – Marakech
- Host – GUBA Awards 2024 – London
- Host – Black Star Awards – New York
- Moderator – ECOWAS Investment Bank President’s Roundtable – Accra
- Host – 5G Launch – Accra
- Moderator – GITEX GLOBAL Fintech Surge – Dubai
- Host – AfCFTA’s Biashara Afrika – Kigali
- Host - Forward Africa Leaders Symposium – New York
- Host - How Countries are Reimagining and Renewing Global Commitments to Primary Health Care – New York
- Co – Host – Rebranding Africa Awards Gala – Brussels
- Host – Digital With Purpose Summit – Cascais
- Host – EurAfrican Forum – Cascais {{cite web |title=contributors 2023vanita erskine |url=https://www.eurafricanforum.org/contributors-2023/anita-erskine/|website=eurafricanforum.org}}
- Host – SDGs Action Summit – Accra
- Moderator – 31st Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2024) – Nassau
- Host – Afreximbank Pan African Finance Awards – Nassau
- Moderator – GITEX Africa – Marakech
- Moderator – 3i Summit – Accra
- Co – Host – Opening and Closing Ceremonies for 13th All African Games – Accra {{cite web |title=‘It happened’ — Anita Erskine after realizing 12-year dream of hosting the opening ceremony of international sports event|url=https://www.modernghana.com/lifestyle/16045/it-happened-anita-erskine-after-realizing-12.html |website=modernghana.com}}
- Co – Host – Africa Prosperity Dialogues Presidential Dialogues – Ghana
Awards
- 2024 Avance Media, 100 Most Influential African Women https://mobile.ghanaweb.com/blogs/nanayarquah/Avance-Media-Announces-2024-100-Most-Influential-African-Women-8107
- GUBA Award for Iconic Voice in Media and Advocacy - 2024
- Top 20 LinkedIn Creators – Ghana 2024
- Top 100 Career Women Africa in 2024 {{cite web |title=Anita Erskine The Africa Soft Power Project |url=https://theafricasoftpowerproject.com/anita-erskine/ |website=theafricasoftpowerproject.coma}} {{cite web |title=TRENT Magazine/Trent Voices Interview: Anita Erskine '99 |url=https://mycommunity.trentu.ca/trentnews66 |website=mycommunity.trentu.ca}}
- The 50 Most Impactful Voices 2023 {{cite web |title=Anita V.M. Erskine|url=https://blackstarsexperience.com/speaker/anita-v-m-erskine/|website=blackstarsexperience.com}}
- 100 Most Influential Women in Africa {{Cite web|url=http://www.100women.avancemedia.org/anitaerskine/|title = 100Women | Avance Media | Anita Erskine}}
- 100 Most Inspirational Women in Ghana {{Cite web|url=http://www.glitzafrica.com/glitz-top-100-inspirational-women/|title = Glitz top 100 inspirational women – Glitz Africa Magazine}}
- 100 Most Influential People in Ghana{{cite web |title=Home |url=http://www.thosewhoinspire.com/ |website=thosewhoinspire}}
- POWER INFLUENCER : Who is Who in Ghana{{Cite web|url=http://www.whoswhoghana.com/ghanas-power-influencers/anita-erskine/|title = Anita Erskine - Ghana's Power Influencers}}
- Radio and TV Personality (RTP) — Radio Female Presenter of the Year (2017){{Cite news|url=http://www.pulse.com.gh/entertainment/celebrities/rtp-awards-2017-nana-aba-anamoah-afia-schwarzenegger-win-full-list-of-winners-id7526237.html#top|title=RTP Awards 2017: Nana Aba Anamoah, Afia Schwarzenegger win + full list of winners|last=Arthur|first=Portia|access-date=2017-11-01|language=en-US}}
- Outstanding Contribution To Women Empowerment - 40 under 40 2017{{cite web |title=Home |url=http://www.40under40awards.com.gh/ |website=40under40awards Ghana}}
- Protector of Women and Girl Child Rights Award - African Women Intercultural Dialogue 2017
- Women Mean Business Honors - Legendary Award Winner - 2016
- TV Hostess of the Year - City People Awards - 2015
- TV Female Entertainment Host of the Year 2014 - Radio and TV Personality (RTP)
- Best Supporting Actress - Ghana Movie Awards 2012
- Best Actress- Ghana Movie Awards 2013
- Best Supporting Actress - Ghana Movie Awards 2014