By Rachel Kakraba
Tributes continue to pour in for a beloved son of Ghana, the late Godwin Avenorgbo, also known as the Grandmaster, who will be laid to rest this weekend. He is celebrated for his exceptional contributions to the broadcast and communication industry.
The Grandmaster was a once-vibrant voice on the airwaves of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and a mentor to many young journalists. As the day of his final funeral rites approaches, many of those who worked with him during his days at the GBC, as well as those he mentored, have been paying tribute.
Editor in Chief GBCGHANAONLINE, and Public Affairs of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Madam Rebecca Ekpe, said in an interview that the late Godwin Avenorgbo gave her some sound footing and confidence in the media industry.
“I can confidently say that he is one of those people that helped me find my voice among so many others and helped me to remain in journalism. Thank you so much, Mr. Godwin Avenorgbo, very, very, very impactful.”
Adding on, she said, “Interestingly, the very last professional showing so far as the broadcasting or journalism profession is concerned, I happen to have shared the stage with him.”
Madam Ekpe said the late Godwin Avenorgbor has left a huge legacy behind.
“I know he’s left a lot of legacy, legacy of mentoring, a legacy of speaking his mind, a legacy of wanting his things done meticulously, properly and orderly.”
Speaking to GBCNEWS, a junior colleague of the late Godwin Avenorgbo, Rev. Dr. Kojo Arkaah Kwarteng, said he was a hand that helped him cut his teeth in broadcasting. He reminisced about how he became a part of the production team.
“As soon as I finished the national service, he asked me, why wouldn’t you join us? So I came on board. Then Godwin told me that he had an idea of a show on radio GAR, where we’re going to interview personalities. So we started Godwin on the Beat, which became big.”
He said the late Godwin Avenorgbo touched his life and that of others in a special way, even beyond the media industry. He said he will continue to live through the many lives that he impacted as shining examples.
“Less than a year ago, one of those people we trained was celebrating 20 years in the industry and specially invited me and Godwin. This lady gave a beautiful citation and all she said was that your passion unveiled my talent. So for me, Godwin’s legacy will move on through those whose lives has been impacted, probably beyond this industry.”
Madam Winifred Eshun was part of the production team of “Godwin on the Beat” and “Insurance and You,” which were all hosted by the late Godwin Avenorgbo.
Speaking to the news team, she recounted, “We had a production team, he was the host. We produced Godwin on the beat and Insurance and You. If you work with him, you learn so much. He was a very disciplined man who would want the production to come out well. She said the late Godwin Avenorgbo stood out for excellence.
“With the Godwin on the beat program, there were many topics. For example, during this political season, you realize that many of the politicians who come on board, the aspiring MPs who come on board, give us their vision. At a point in time, he even had to interview our late president, his Excellency John Evans Atta Mills that was how serious the programme was.”
Madam Eshun added, “all I can say is thank you. He had made his mark in the broadcasting industry. Condolences to his family, the entire media fraternity, GBC, we’ve all lost a gem.
Final burial and funeral rites, for the late Godwin Avenorgbo, otherwise known as the Grandmaster would be held this Saturday at the Lashibi Funeral Home, at 1pm. The attire is black and white.
