Brunch time or
mid morning programming has always been exciting even in the days of the Volta
Star Radio and VP FM duopoly in Ho, which lasted for more than a decade after
the advent of private radio in Ghana. The current 10am to 12pm style for mid
morning shows, which basically revolves around good music for listeners as they
go about their daily work routines, Live Presenter Mentions (to enrich the
wallet of the stations), tit bits on various topics such as love, fashion,
entertainment, food and more which has gained grounds on Ghana’s radio
landscape was pioneered by VP FM in the radio market of Ho.
As such, they
were holding down listeners with this style until the duopoly ended when Hope
FM entered the radio market in Ho from their hill-top studios, followed later
by US FM, Kekeli FM, Tosh FM, and lately, Kuul FM. This write up takes a look
at the mid-morning shows on the various stations operating in Ho and how they
are faring in the opinion of the writer.
Afrikiko
Mix on Kekeli 102.9 FM
The show which
airs immediately after the Super Morning Show (what a name to give to a show
which runs mostly in Ewe?) on Kekeli FM is gradually becoming the goose that
lays the golden eggs for the station. The host Dr. J (or something like that)
has played a major role in making the show the favourite of most listeners in
Ho and its environs. Anyone who doubts the popularity of this show in Ho,
should just take a walk from the Ho Police Depot, through the Central Market
area to Ho Polytechnic junction, and he/she will be surprised by the number of
shop owners (informal sector workers) who listen to the show.
The host is
simply a gem when it comes to blending English with Ewe (and other local
languages) on a show that demands of you a good sense of humour and a gift for
selecting good music. His background as a comedian, (oh yes, a comedian) also
helps in keeping his faithful listeners glued to the show and with popular
punch lines like ‘dze wontoe gbe’, the popularity of the show is set to soar to
unimaginable heights. Judged by the number of adverts and Live Presenter
Mentions which run on the show currently, the Afrikiko Mix fever also seems to
be catching on well with businesses and media buyers. This ultimately
translates into a fatter bank account for the Post Office square-based
broadcasters and a bigger pay cheque for the bubbly host, l hope.
The only problem
l have with the show is its duration. A show which is supposed to run for two
hours has been running effectively for only an hour because a Pastor, yes a man
of God (Rev. Kakra Baiden) has to deliver a sermon mid way through the
programme. This, l consider to be an ‘unnecessary’ disruption to an otherwise
perfect show. Perhaps, the top brass at the station should consider extending
the duration of the show to cover the slot after the mid day news from Joy FM
which is currently reserved for playing cool or sentimental music.
In any case, cool
or sentimental songs do not always have to be foreign love and country songs.
We have our own Kojo Antwis, Beccas, Afias, etc who also have songs suitable
for lunch time radio. Who is going to play their songs if we do not play them?
Great show with a great host!!!!!
