From day one, when he walked into the University of Ghana, George only had eyes to breathe into people’s stories. If media is the pious focus, sports journalism is the truest passion.
That fixation to break through led him to volunteer at the campus-based Radio Universe, a press farmhouse that has nurtured some of Ghana’s best journalists. George would later become one of the most successful campus-based radio station interns when he moved directly from Radio Universe to arguably the largest English-speaking radio station in Ghana, Joy FM.
But this was not before George left his mark on the Radio Universe, where he carved a niche for himself as a prolific storyteller. Radio Universe is too small and doesn’t have the funds to support interns and volunteers to cover major national events. Therefore, this station usually focuses more on campus news.
George’s sports knowledge can now be found, but it was not until he determined the content – finding the angle of the story of the athletes in the school and using journalism as a medium to bring the story (athletes) closer to the students – that everyone began to take notice.
A young George injected life into campus football, rejuvenating the frenzy among students with his great style of commentary. With every story he tells, every article he writes, and every comment he posts, George makes himself even more popular among sports-loving students.
His rise as a campus-based sports reporter coincided with the resurgence of the University of Ghana football team, which meant more students remained glued to Radio Universe to be updated on the goings-on of the team.
And George made sure his time was worth it.
George’s versatility sees him tell stories in space – from the profile of standout players in the university league to shining a light on the Halls of participants in the Football League Show, which is one of the most-listening programs on campus.
George’s transition from Radio Universe to Joy FM was a big leap but his time at campus prepared him, so he wasn’t too surprised by the turn of events. But, he was happy.
All the years of volunteering culminated in a boy who has quickly become a man, and a journalist who is now ready for the big league.
Joy FM was, and still is, among the big leagues and that’s where George finally spread his wings, attracting a wider audience on radio and television and attracting sports fans from far and near.
From covering campus sports and the University of Ghana football team, George now finds himself covering the Ghana Premier League. Just six months into his tenure at Joy FM, George’s passion for telling the story was noticed by the head of the sports desk, who rewarded him with the responsibility of hosting the First Capital Plus Premier League Show.
The programme, which airs on Multi TV, previews and reviews Ghana Premier League matches. George hosted the show for two years and interviewed the likes of Ghanaian president Kwesi Nyantakyi, former Premier League Board Chairman Welbeck Abra Appiah, and the CEOs of Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.
It’s an important milestone for a ‘kid’ coming out of university, but George is just getting started. For a man charged with telling the story and portraying the local game, he felt there was more to be done.
So, when George realized that the Ghana Premier League was not an official show, he teamed up with some of his friends to give birth to the Ghana League Cypher, a program that only previews and reviews league matches and airs them on social media to keep fans updated on what is happening in the league.
However, the Ghana Cypher League attracted a lot of interest that soon became its original medium, with several television stations even agreeing to broadcast the show. This is a testament to the good work George and his crew are doing, especially when the Ghanaian league does not have an official show.
What made it more special was the unique analysis of the game; break down the referee’s decisions and explain the numbers and statistics in the results.
Finally, the event became a Ghana Premier League event and the free-to-air Homebase TV digital channel was chosen to broadcast it.
George will partner with StarTimes, when the pay TV giant acquires broadcast rights for the Ghana Premier League, with a show called Ghana Premier League Scoreboard.
This is a program that will air on Max TV and some local television channels until December 2018. By then, George has traveled to every league center across the country with his story.
He helped attract attention to local clubs and players, including telling the stories of rising male and female stars like hijab-wearing Anatu Sadat, teenage sensation Fatawu Issahaku and the mysterious Joseph Esso. Features of Diawisie Taylor’s goal-scoring prowess and Richmond Lamptey’s long-range mastery add another feather to his cap.
George’s stories go beyond the trending news. Sometimes, they tell the story behind the story that fans already know. Take the case of “Ankobrah in Boots” – a story that delved into the role of Kali Ankobrah in the invincibility of Karela United.
There was also “Tamale’s Year of Return”, which intensified the stiff competition between teams in Zone 1 League Division One and the possible return of the Tamale-based club to the top flight after many teams in the region suffered in the lower divisions. .
One can also share the “Soul of Phobia” feature, which highlights the untold story behind the famous Hearts of Oak song. Arguably, one of George’s most famous stories is “The Hijab Soccer Player.”
It focuses on Anatu Sadat, who became the first female footballer to wear a hijab in Ghana. Not only did the story spark a wider social discourse, it also attracted international media attention.
Along with colleague Gary Al-Smith, George hosted the first ever Ghana Premier League transfer deadline show, which highlighted Asamoah Gyan’s historic move to Legon Cities.
In a few decades, George has gone from being a novice at a campus radio station to becoming one of the most prominent sports journalists in Ghana.
And to his credit, he has served on the panels of different award schemes, including the Ghana Football Awards jury and the Premier League Council who decide the winners of various individual awards regarding the Ghana Premier League.
George was also adjudged the best journalist to promote the Ghana Premier League at the last official Premier League Awards in 2014. For someone who is dedicated to telling the stories of others, George has made a mark in a small industry. from the griots.
George’s story is one of the boxes for a full career journey. To typifies the creation of the prolific Ghana Premier League chronicler and raconteur.
