By Rachel Kakraba
The Lashibi Funeral Homes and Crematorium on Saturday September 14, 2024, welcomed members of the inky fraternity and other sympathizers who joined hands to pay tributes and last respect to renowned broadcaster, Godwin Avenorgbo, popularly known as Grandmaster or Big G. He was a broadcaster whose voice resonated with millions, setting the pace as a guiding light. Big G, whose voice was iconic in GBC, rose through the ranks to become a former Director of Radio of GBC.
About Godwin Avenorgbo
The Grandmaster, also known as Big G, was born Godwin Roosevelt K. Avenorgbo. He hailed from Sokpoe in the Volta Region. The family head, Kangla Blasu, said “Godwin comes from a very small village called Sokpoe sitting on the banks of the river Volta. From the very, very humble beginnings, he set out to conquer the world, and he has done so brilliantly”
Mr. Blasu, said the late Godwin Avenorgbo contributed significantly to the development of his community. “Love for homeland and clan spurred his unstinting desire to initiate and drive developmental projects to uplift education and social life. He gave back to his people through his own personal donations, and these were many.
Early days at GBC
Big G, gained prominence in the 1990s with his distinctive, impeccable communication skills, professionalism, articulate delivery, and engaging presence on both radio and television. His close friend, Gideon Komevi Ameko, spoke about their early days together at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, GBC.
“Godwin and I met at Aburi Teacher Training College on 24th September 1964, as first year students. This September is exactly 60 years. We wanted to change professions, so we wrote to GBC.
Adding on he said “on the day of the interview, I got to the GBC, and then someone called me and asked where is your friend? I said he’s at school. Where? Burma Camp, he said please go and call him. That was the day we were interviewed, and because they wanted a Disc Jockey, immediately, they took him before they took the rest of us”
Unique mentorship qualities
The late Godwin Avenorgbo, was not only a renowned broadcaster but also an exceptional emcee. He used this craft to uplift others along the way.
Christie Dormon who is host of Uniiq’s Fm’s health programme “Health line” shared that, “I was with Godwin on the Monday morning show and Godwin on the beat and he was friendly, accommodating, but very principled. He did everything from the depth of his heart. Anything he laid his hand on, he made sure it came out very well”
Head of GBC’s Uniiq FM, Kingsley Obeng Kyere, said “he knew how to generate fun in an educated manner, but will make you enjoy the program and you are still learning, you are still enjoying what is happening. In as much as he was very professional, he also tried to nurture the young ones”
A retired staff of the GBC and renowned journalist who worked under the late Godwin Avenorgbo, Ruth Adjorlolo, said “Surprisingly, the wife happens to be my cousin, so we became very, very close. He’s somebody who encourages you. He’s a professional, prim and proper, very principled”
Editor in Chief, GBCGHANAONLINE, and Public Affairs of the Ghana Journalists Association, GJA, Madam Rebecca Ekpe, recounted, “It was one of my first awards, and I had a lot of backlash because in the office, a lot of the seniors were asking, when did you start journalism that you will win a GJA award? Godwin Avenorgbo invited me to his office. In fact, he told me that, Rebecca, you are that good. I was on the awards committee, and I know what your work was worth”
She added “You know, Godwin did not end it there, he also actually literally opened the mic for me. So, for me, Godwin Avenorgbo, very, very, very impactful. Public speaking was his thing, so for those of us in radio, he was a mark”
A junior colleague of the late Godwin Avenorgbo, Rev. Dr. Kojo Arkaah Kwarteng, said “Godwin will call and tell me Kojo, could you draft this MOU for this person? Or draft this query, let me see your G. I. J. English. I mean, that is how he would joke about it. He was also emceeing big shows. He gave me my biggest back pass in emceeing”
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. She said he had made a mark in the broadcasting industry.
“Insurance and You had to do with the insurance business where we had to line up most of the insurance companies and all these were sponsored programs. So here was somebody who would generate income for GBC”
Exemplary leadership at Melcom Group of Companies
The Melcom Group of Companies is one organization that benefited from the communication expertise of the late Godwin Avenorgbo. He was the Director of Communications of the company from 2013, till he responded to the call from his creator on 19th August, 2024. His significant contributions to the company, was acknowledged by the General Manager, Francis Sam.
“Very instrumental in initiating the annual blood drive that was organized by Melcom to the Ghana Blood Bank. He was also instrumental and was the chairman for the Melcom Foundation Scholarship Fund, in which he executed his role flawlessly. Mr. Sam added “sometimes he went further to ensure their enrollment in work. Aside from that, he was at the helm of affairs when it comes to all the CSI initiatives”
Selflessness to the Ghana Journalists Association, GJA
For more than fifty years, Big G. was visible as an active member of the Ghana Journalists Association, GJA, serving in various roles. The very recent being the Chairman of the GJA 75th Anniversary Planning Committee. He set the tone for the 75th commemorative lecture with an inspiring speech and, in high spirits, opened the dance floor.
“As an ewe proverb suggests, you can only get a longer rope if you weave the new twine onto the old one. We can create opportunities for regular interactions with our seniors who have come ahead of us, even as we make every effort to rope in new and fresh minds who have now joined the profession of journalism”
Reactions to Big G’s passing
Before the celebrations of the anniversary could even settle, members of the inky fraternity and Ghanaians in general received the sad news of his passing, just four days after the high profile event, held at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra. The Family Head, Mr. Kangla Blasu believes his death was a higher calling.
“Death comes calling and leaves in its wake pain and devastation. His exit was very abrupt. He had no time to say goodbye to anybody. He had a higher calling, which he found worthier than this earthly one. So he took his exit. He will be sorely missed. Farewell, Big G.”
Big G’s good friend of more than fifty years, Gideon Komevi Ameko is still struggling to accept the fact that he has responded to the celestial call.
“He was going to die on Monday, but I didn’t know, he didn’t know. He sent me a video then I sent one back to him. Monday morning, the wife called me around 10 o’clock that Godwin called the daughter to come and take him to hospital, because there was something wrong with him. That was his death!! That was his death!! Oh Godwin!! May he Rest in Peace”
For the media fraternity, which the late Godwin Avenorgbo served selflessly for more than fifty years, GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, says his passing is a big blow.
“It hasn’t been an easy thing to deal with. He died in the line of duty. At age 78, he was still serving the association. He’s a go-getter. He has the winning spirit and he will always encourage us and lead us. This is the man the association has lost. He is indeed a gallant soldier. He died as a hero. His legacy will live with us”
The Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, is deeply aware of the magnitude of this loss.
“He never held back until the time of his demise. Even at the anniversary celebration when he was delivering his message as a chairperson of the committee, he was so inspiring and he thanked all of us. Unfortunately, God says it’s time that he goes home. We pray that, his gentle soul, his happy soul, his humorous soul will rest in perfect peace until we meet again”
Melcom mourns
How will the future look like for the Melcom Group of Companies without their vibrant late Communications Director. The General Manager Francis Sam said Big G participated in an online meeting just hours before his passing. He describes the void left by his absence as immense.
“30 minutes or so before he passed he was online so it came as a shock to us. He was such a vibrant man. We had seen him the previous Friday, full of life and good spirits. It’s still a shock.
He said his passing has affected operations of the Melcom Group of Companies.
“His death has no doubt touched all of our hearts. His ability to tap into what was going on in the media, and influence management decisions will be missed a lot. He’s left a huge hole within the management team”
As heartfelt condolences pour in for the bereaved family, there are discussions on how to immortalize his legacy for future generations.
Retired staff of the GBC and renowned journalist who worked under the late Godwin Avenorgbo, Ruth Adjorlolo, said “he was really full of life so it’s been a very big blow. My condolences to the wife, it’s not easy. But I’ll ask God to give her the strength to carry on”
Editor in Chief GBCGHANAONLINE, and Public Affairs of the Ghana Journalists Association, GJA, Rebecca Ekpe stated “I know wherever he is, he’s happy because I think that he has done what he needs to do on this earth and go back to his maker. His exit was very quick, if you remember how he took to the dance floor, at the 75th anniversary of the G. J. A when he was dancing and I mean, talking to people, little did we know he was leaving, but I think that that was his goodbye. May he rest in perfect peace.
Junior colleague of the late Godwin Avenorgbo, Rev. Dr. Kojo Arkaah Kwarteng, said “For me, Godwin’s legacy will live on through those whose lives he has impacted, probably beyond this industry”
Christie Dormon who is host of Uniiq’s Fm’s health programme “Health line” who was also mentored by the late Godwin Avenorgbo, suggested that, “the way Godwin trained us, he really trained us. He was principled, and made sure we all came out very well. I even wish GBC would name the training school after him.
Madam Winifred Eshun who was part of the production team of “Godwin on the Beat” and “Insurance and You” which the late Godwin Avenorgbo hosted said; “It’s the values they left behind, so that when you go to a department, you look at their work results, you just find out from them, who were your trainers, you hear certain names pop out, and you know that, oh, that is why you are going on this path”
Head of GBC’s Uniiq FM, Kingsley Obeng Kyere said “keeping to the professional ethics that they stood for, that’s the best way to celebrate those who have taken the lead”
The Melcom Group of Companies will not be left out when it comes to honouring the legacy of the late Communications Director. The Group’s General Manager, Francis Sam, said a scholarship and award scheme would be instituted to honour memory of the late Godwin Avenorgbo who served the company diligently.
“His professionalism and what the journalism profession meant to him. Melcom’s management team is in the talks to institute a scholarship for a journalism student in the name of Mr. Godwin Avenorgbo, and also to institute the Godwin Avenorgbo Outstanding Excellence in Journalism Ethics Award”
Conclusion
Death, they say, often strikes unexpectedly. The passing of the Grandmaster has left many questioning his untimely departure, especially given his apparent good health at the recent GJA 75th Anniversary commemorative lecture. However, who are we to question the divine plan of God? We can only find solace in the knowledge that he lived a life of great impact, touching the lives of countless individuals. Let us honour his memory by carrying forward his desire for truth, integrity, discipline and excellence in any media activity. Rest in Peace the Grand Master, you have indeed responded to the grand call. Hede nyuie, Big G, Fare Thee Well until the resurrection.
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