GBC’s top newscasters who made our day (1960s to 1990s)

James Amartey was the epitome of what we call baritone. His baritone on air shook radio sets and drew all ears to a listenership of programs he was associated with.

Charlie Sam rambled the English language like his mother tongue, and the senior who remained a disc jockey into his advanced age showed how passion ruled his talent.

Kwabena Nimo was also a baritone. His slower pace in reading scripts deepened his distinctiveness in the art and helped listeners to follow the news bulletins in the fashion of avid patrons.

Another name worth mentioning is Isaac Anthony. What a reader he was. He had a deep, strong voice that vibrated the sets which were the media of broadcast.

Barima Ohemeng Kwatia was flawless. He hardly made mistakes. He gushed out fluently, bringing to mind images of the unimpeded, flowing stream. Though he read from a script, fumbling was absolutely absent once he was behind the microphone. His mettle may be graded superstar.

Anthony Kumah was that skillful. He had a sharp piercing voice that struck the other end like the catapult of the astute marksman.

Sam Yeboah was an experienced news broadcaster. He came along not as the spotlight but he certainly made it to the first selection. He knew his craft and delivered so well.

Kwame Amamoo almost became the mouthpiece for the government as the news bulletins that carried bombshells were conveyed by his powerful voice.

Amamoo’s successor was perhaps the master newsreader called Richard Kotey whose voice enveloped the atmosphere with the combination of power, precision, and pace. He made news reading look like rocket science, for he attended the craft with a certain panache not given to ordinariness.

Vida Koranteng Asante was super. She had a powerful voice that captured your spirit and held your soul captive. As she issued words from the lines, you will admit that you deserved some training before you can join her ilk.

Béatrice Aidoo was the heartbeat of GBC news. She was a trademark of perfectionism and became synonymous with standards. Her recovery from the fumble was even a delight to hear, once again affirming the belief that newscasting is a conviction.

John Hammond. Many believe he was the father of newscasting in Ghana. Thus, his genes in the art of reading are reflected in others. Each mirrored aspects in his cocktail.

The indefatigable Daniel Adjei was a véritable professional. His style by way of pronunciation of words in which he stretched some, gave him a certain uniqueness. He was passionate and reliable.

Dan Eshun also got the voice. He did his best as a reader and put a stamp on his experience as the best provider.

Jocelyn Anoon was the epitome of fluency. She poured out the news bulletins as though her voice was programmed robotically. She steered the news to a safe landing. She had the sweet voice of Florence Nightingale.

Felicia Agyepong represented the enforcement of the notion of professionalism in the art of news reading.

Lucy Banini was gifted. The news looked as though they were brewed in her buccal cavity. The items billowed with grace and grandeur to reveal the gem that she was.

Andrews Owusu was a superb newsreader. He read, and read, and read on. There were hardly any fumblings. Oh what a professional he was. It was a tragedy to some the day Andrews left the microphone for other pursuits.

Robert Owusu was Andrews’ father. He was part of the most experienced corps of news presenters at GBC.

Vincent Asiseh played his part in news reading. His presentation on any given day made the audience take the news bulletin very seriously.

The cool and collected Emelia Elliot transposed his personal qualities to presentation, and she was a huge success. The subtle message in her art was that you have to be calm, collected, and confident when reading the news bulletin. After all, a crowd does not sit directly in front of you, so you take your time to do justice to the bulletin. A good standard for readers who are affectation-prone.

Cromwell Adam had a pleasant tone. Hopefully, it was one of the reasons he was put there. Training is important, yet Cromwell also represented the other strand which is pure talent.

Emmanuel Aboagye-Wiafe, the youngster who joined their ranks, and swam with the big fishes as far as news reading was concerned, proved a point that his inclusion was no fluke. He was invincible.

Peter Serinye made it to the queue of excellent readers. His introduction suggested GBC was hunting for replacements for the established gurus.

Esther Asenor is one of the greatest female newsreaders of all time in Ghana. If it was her on the beat, you were assured of excellent delivery. Her voice was compared to a quall as it made a good impression on listeners and viewers.

Lawrence Sewordoh read the news as a true professional. He was a shade of several of his colleagues, the common thread being very little or no errors in the rendition exercise.

GBC is Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.