Radio fanatics in Ho, the Volta Regional capital, have been given one more option to select from when it comes to radio stations with the launch of Global 105.1 FM. This brings to seven the number of FM stations operating in Ho currently, with another, Jaydee 99.9 FM warming up on the touchline to join the game. This will obviously make the radio market in the capital even more competitive as these stations compete for our ears and any other thing they may be interested in.
Looking at members of Team Global so far, it seems to me they are in for serious business because those behind the station have assembled an impressive squad comprising of some of the best this region got to offer as far as radio is concerned. Notable radio personalities like Togbe Ahorgo I (Edem Yao Torsah), Paul Mensah Anku, King Norbert Akpablie, Komla Gbortsu, Ivy Setordzi, Christian Chibueze, etc are some of the people currently plying their trades at the new station.
Their morning show, ‘Global Morning Show’, is being hosted by Togbe Ahorgo I with Benjamin Aklama playing the role of a ‘summariser’ of sort. Togbe’s performance on the show so far is what one can describe as ‘to hit the ground running’. Of course, he is not a novice in that department of radio. He is a veteran in that area because he has done the same thing previously on Volta Premier FM and the defunct US FM. Any show he hosts tends to focus more on developmental issues (which l always salute him for) rather than empty political talks, and so far on the ‘Global Morning Show’, that is exactly what he is doing (maybe, is too early to say that).
With his deep baritone voice and tough interviewing style not lost after being off air in Ho for about three years this is certainly one of the shows that will make Global FM a force to reckon with sooner than later.
Paul Mensah Anku is the man in charge of the mid-morning show dubbed ‘Urban Beats’ on Global FM currently. Whilst he may not be a household name in Ho probably because of the limited airtime he might have had on radio previously, now he has the opportunity (four good hours on prime time radio on weekdays) to make a name for himself on the airwaves of Ho. As per my barometer (which you are free to disagree with), he has started on a good note and bound to win a lot of youthful listeners for his station in that segment of the market if he continues in this manner. He has a good voice, and a good command of the language he has decided to present his show in.
Akpablie King Norbert (of Citi FM fame) has made a surprise return to mainstream radio presenting after leaving Volta Premier FM to concentrate on news reporting as the Volta Regional correspondent of Citi FM in Accra. He has put up an impressive performance as a news reporter hence when his name came up as one of the people moving to Global FM, I thought he was going in for a role related to news. Now it is obvious l got it wrong. Well, before he became a news person, he has had stints with Volta Premier FM as the host of their drive time show. So his return to that department of radio as the host of Global Drive is not a novelty.
The drive time segment of radio in Ho, from where l sit (which is not important than the chair l sit in) is currently a three-horse race among Nene Lamptey on Volta Premier FM, Sizzla I on Kekeli FM and Bright Ellis on Kuul FM (in no particular order). In fact, these three masters of the game are so good at what they do so much that sometimes I wish I had three pairs of ears to listen to them concurrently. So, King Norbert has his job clearly cut out for him. In order to make any meaningful impact in that department of radio in Ho he must put in his best (and l mean his very best). On a personal note, I wish he stayed in the media only as a news reporter because he has shown so much potential in that area.
Another big catch with Team Global is the ‘region-trotting’ (as in globe trotting) Komla Gbortsu who joined the station from the Dabala-based Sela FM. The last time l listened to him on Sela FM he was hosting the morning show on that network. But in a typical ‘Gbortsu manner’, he has surfaced at Ho in the studios of Global FM, before one could say Jack.
I am very sure his flawless use of the Ewe language (he probably grew up with his grandfather) on radio was what compelled the top brass at Global FM to make a swoop for him to be the main voice on their Ewe language programmes. One thing is certain though; when Komla Gbortsu is behind the microphone expect a good deal of proverbs and wise sayings in every statement that he will make. I only hope that in his typical ‘Gbortsu’ spirit, he will not leave Global FM before l finish typing this script. The people of Ho also deserve to enjoy the good stuff he is known for.
On the day that they came on air for the first time, Ivy Setordzi (who l believe will be part of their news team) and other members of Team Global promised listeners news packages comparable to what we have been feeding on from the Accra-based media houses like Joy FM, Citi FM and Starr FM. In fact, Team Global was so emphatic that they were not going to rely on news from Accra. Yours truly was therefore very surprised when on Monday 15th of August, 2016 we woke up to Citi News at 6am being relayed on Global FM and that has been the case ever since.
I strongly believe they are still putting together their arsenal to hit the airwaves with those compelling news bulletins because I noticed the midday and 6pm news slots on their network are still ‘vacant’. So, son of man can only wait to hear these news bulletins that will convince yours truly and other loyalists of the three major news brands serving us in the Volta Region i.e Joy News, Citi News and Starr News to shift to their camp.
All said and done, it seems the folks in charge of affairs at this new station have put their acts together very well. They are in not just to add to the number but make impact in the radio industry in Ho. I can only wish them luck.
Mourinho Dumps Kekeli FM For Global FM
When it comes to sports news presentation on radio in Ho, one name that will always be counted among the top three is Christian Chibueze alias Mourinho (don’t forget am still using my barometer which you are free to disagree with). His versatility when it comes to the use of English and Ewe as a medium of presenting is what impresses me most. Well, the big news is that he has abandoned the Post Office Square-based Kekeli FM for the New Housing-based Global FM. One thing Kekeli FM listeners will miss most is the usual Saturday morning banter between him and Foster Kudiabor (Oxygen) on his Sports Nation programme on that network. He has been at his best (flowing effortlessly in the Queen’s language) ever since he made an appearance on the Global Morning Show to handle the sports segment.
The big question, however is, who owns Global FM? Just smh.
Ps. Where is Sedi and her partner in crime Jeremy Young? This question is obviously directed at the Drive Time guys at Kuul FM. Don’t get me wrong. The Ultimate Drive with Bright Ellis on Kuul FM is already great but these two youngsters brought a different dimension to the show. Their takes on issues in the Out And About segment of the show always made me laugh my head off. Has Jeremy completed his ‘apprenticeship’ (that was the impression l got) under Ellis?