Because journalism is such a competitive business, it is not often that one comes across journalists who genuinely like one another. even where admiration among colleagues does exist, jealousy is usually an obstacle to the full expression of appreciation for the work of colleagues.
The late Godwin Avenorgbo, who passed in Accra on August 19, 2024, at the age of 78, was one of the few exceptions. Since his death, many journalists and acquaintances have been full of praise to him for the way he sought to achieve excellence in his work during his life-time.
I didn’t know him at all, having only come across him in mid-2024, when, as chair of the Planning Committee of the Ghana Journalists Association in charge of the activities marking the 75th anniversary of the GJA, he led members of the Committee to come and invite me formally to take part in one of the planned activi- ties.
That one meeting produced so much inter-personal warmth that when I was asked to do so (with immense charm), I travelled to Ho to take part in a symposium, though I wasn’t in the best of health. It was thus, a great blow to me when I heard, a few weeks later, that Godwin had passed.
What? He had shown no sign of sickness during the visit to me; in fact, he had shown very good form during the visit to me, and told me a few good stories about when he worked for the BBC in London. I thus wondered what could have taken him away so soon after our meeting. I join my journalistic colleagues in conveying my sorrowful condolences to his family.
I have learnt mainly from that indefatigable member of the Committee, Peter Agbeko, that because of his vast experience as both a working journalist and a Public Relations expert, Godwin had made himself quite a mentor to many of the practitioners of both professions. Everyone who has spoken to me about Godwin emphasised his meticulous use of lan- guage and his ability to organise public events.
Conducting public events can be quite tricky, as the unexpected can happen at any time, and if one is not quick-witted, both hosts and guests might experience some embarrassment. Godwin was so adept at handling all manner of situations that he got to be fondly known as “The Grandmaster”.
As an MC, he tactfully prevented boredom by making wisecracks but not overdoing it. Those who had seen him “perform” in public, have remarked, since his death, that they had been impressed by the gregarious picture he presented of himself, which, added to his expertise, made them regard him as a mentor.
The president of the GJA, Mr. Albert Kwabena Dwumfour and the general secretary, Mr. Kofi Yeboah (who, incidentally worked with Godwin at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation), have paid warm tributes to Godwin and acknowledged his readiness to assist the organisation whenever he was called upon to do so.
In his tribute, Mr. Yeboah wrote, “I don’t know how he got the accolade ‘The Grandmaster’ but having studied him closely as my boss and senior colleague, I don’t need a sound-bite of that story because Godwin was professional to a fault.”
Mr. Yeboah went on, “During his tenure as Director of Radio (at the GBC), I received a number of commendation letters for hard work and professional excellence, and although those letters were not legal tender for payment of goods, they paid off well (to help me) in my pursuit of excellence.”
Godwin would have loved to hear that he was such an inspiration to a young member of his pro- fession. May he rest in peace.
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