Story By: Rachel Kakraba
Ghana will over the weekend bid farewell to one of her illustrious sons, the late Godwin Avenorgbo, otherwise known as the Grandmaster or Big G. His contribution to the broadcast and communication industry remains unparalleled. As the day approaches, tribute continues to pour in for the once vibrant voices ever to grace the airwaves of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GBC. The news team engaged some of the people whom he mentored during his days at the GBC and helped shape their careers in the media. One of such is Madam Christie Dormon who is host of Uniiq’s Fm’s health programme “Health line” She recollected with nostalgia how her mentor remained professional at all times.
“Godwin will not come on air and just say anything. No, he made sure he had the facts and everything and he prepared very well. The Monday show for instance, we had to prepare the previous week as well as Godwin on the beat, which was mostly on Wednesday”
Madam Dormon acknowledged the mentorship received from the late Godwin Avenorgbo, gave her some expertise in broadcasting especially in the area of interviewing.
“When it comes to interviewing, I picked everything from Godwin. He wouldn’t just go on air and say anything as it’s happening now. People just go on air and say anything no, no, no”
Head of GBC’s Uniiq FM, Kingsley Obeng Kyere, who said he had the privilege to pick some of his journalistic instincts from the late Godwin Avenorgbo., stated he was not only an accomplished broadcaster, but distinguished himself in the area of “emceeing”.
“You know, he was the permanent emcee for the farmer’s day celebration, and he brought to bear some panache. And also when we used to have the original Miss Ghana, what was called the great Embassy double duo at that time, he was also the emcee. Anytime there were big or national programmes, you always see him as the emcee.
He added, “above all, he knew the work, he had the skill, that innate skill, which will attract you to radio”
A retired staff of the GBC and renowned journalist who worked under the late Godwin Avenorgbo, Ruth Adjorlolo, reflected deeply on the impact he had, not only on her but other members of her family.
She recounted an encounter with him, during the 70th birthday party of a friend, saying “He was so happy jumping around, he escorted me back to my seat, and then when I sat down, he whispered in my ears, Ruth, one day when I die, tell your sister and your niece and your nephews that these are the music they should play”
Adding on she said “he’s somebody who has to be celebrated because he’s done a lot for this country. When you talk about emceeing, he’s number one. And my nephew, Jerry Adjorlolo, it was Godwin always giving him inspiration. So it’s really a big blow”
The late Godwin Avenorgbo, otherwise known as the grandmaster, passed away on Monday 19th August 2024. Final burial and funeral rites would be held on Saturday 14th September, 2024, at the Lashibi Funeral Home. The attire is black and white.
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