UPCLOSE WITH YAW ADJABENG OF AHOMKA FM

Yaw Adjabeng

This edition, Central Press had the opportunity to interview a broadcast journalist of Ahomka Fm on his journalism duty at the station. I hope you enjoy reading this interview.

(CP) How did you get into radio?

(YAW) I was motivated to get into radio when in 1996 I had the privilege to listen to my cousin Senyo Adjabeng recorded program when he hosted the drive show on spirit fm in Kumasi. I had thought radio presenters were extra ordinary people but when I listened to my cousin I was encouraged and started making steps toward my dream.

(CP) Ok thanks but what motivated you to go into radio ?

(YAW) I started by featuring on radio quizzes on radio central health quiz which was hosted by yaw Opoku Agyeman (mighty) till 2004 when I enrolled at a radio seminar organised by Eagle fm. I was motivated by the fact that I had some inner edge to let people know the truth, be informed and entertained the right way.

(CP) Were you formally trained as a broadcaster?

Yaw Adjabeng

(YAW) Yeah I got training from Radodeff Tommy Anna Forsons school and underwent refresh course as the time passed.

(CP) What are some of the refresher courses?

(YAW) Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association GIBA, Ghana Advocacy Group, Child Right International in collaboration with Ghana Journalist Association and couple of others

(CP) How do you get ready for your programmes on Saturdays?

(YAW) "hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm" unlike other stations in Accra most of the stations in Cape Coast do not have producers so it is the duty of the presenter to do all the links before the day. The Saturday morning program is a 5 hour show so it should be segmented such that it would not be boring. It is a host of variety; a lot of reading and careful selections of material come into play. The segments are health, entertainment issues that made the headlines for the week, life style consumer check phone in and political discussion.

(CP) How do you control the political discussions?

(YAW) Controlling panellist is one of the difficult aspect of the job because you do not know what the person will say until it comes out of his mouth so you have to pay particular attention to what they say and bring them to order when they go astray and probably let them retract when the need arises. Sometimes in my quest to do my job I am branded party A or B and it is funny "hahahahahahaha".

(CP) Why is it that politicians are only invited to discuss issues from the newspaper ? Is that the best and what is the way forward to improve quality programmes?

(YAW) Personally I think the idea of inviting politicians to discuss political issue that come in the news papers is one of the reasons for the tension in the country it is about time we use experts in the issues of discussion, people like the professors; lectures; Engineers; Medical Doctors; Lawyers; and other professionals, to discuss some of the issues that come up in our newspapers because every politician who is invited may want to score cheap political point for his or her party.

To improve the quality of programmes the station must take keen interest in the personalities that come on air and issues that will be discussed and if possible all stations must get the delay broadcasters equipment, so unwanted speeches will not go on air to fuel tension. Finally it is the responsibility of all journalists to ensure that whatever they air is not politically motivated though sometimes politicians may try to influence our sense of judgement and direction we always feel guilty when our hands are in the mouth of someone and must work to please them, that is selfish journalism and unprofessional.

(CP) Are media jobs well payed jobs?

(YAW) It depends on which media house you are working for and the role you play but generally it is not too good.

(CP) What do you hope to achieve in radio in the next five years?

(YAW) The next five should see me establishing my own radio station and helping the youth with interest in radio realise their dream.