Presenting any programme on JOY FM, Ghana’s leading English language radio cannot be an easy task for anyone. I’m yet to meet anyone with that view.  When it comes to news – it’s serious business just like all the other programmes on your Super station. From the days of ace anchor Matilda Asante to the tops-turvy edition with former Accra police PRO DSP Freeman Tettey, presenting news on Joy FM is challenging. 

So why is that so? Some say it’s the magnitude of the platform, others say it’s the discerning listeners’ unpardonable desire for quality. Whatever the reason is I can only say it is a privilege and an opportunity to work at JOY fm and of course Multimedia Group.

From my days at JOY FM as an intern to a reporter, I have worked with some world class professionals who have rubbed off me consciously or not. A key learning that has run through almost all of these interactions has been to never stop learning. I have come to understand failure begins when you stop learning. You must learn something every day.

Hosting the Joy Midday News came to me unexpectedly in a conversation I’d rather say little or nothing about. (I’ll leave that for some other time) Almost four months into the job and I can write a whole thesis about the experience. You see, it’s not just about reading the news, but as anchor you’re the voice of your news team which is the voice of the citizenry.

So the question then is how do you fuse all of these into that personality sitting behind the microphone?  This can be daunting when you have to manage that every day with an audience beyond the borders of Ghana. It makes sense why people get shivers when a microphone is pointed at them.

Well for this young journalist it has been and still is Jesus who has kept me going. I’m blessed with a great family which supports me. Plus a world class team of professionals whose contributions to the bulletin daily unleashes in me this wild animal ready to devour. Presenting the Midday news has drawn me closer to my colleague news makers and this rapport can only be a recipe for success.

There have been key learnings in leadership coming alongside.  I’ve learnt to keep growing. I have had some interesting interviews – in no special order- ACP Awuntogbe Awuni (MTTD), Dr Amoako Baah (political science lecturer), Kwesi Amissah Arthur (Vice president) and just recently a member of National Service Board over payroll fraud uncovered. Some of these were tough, perhaps the interviewees were difficult or I may have been aggressive.

What is important is learning lessons for the future. Reflecting on my work is part of my daily ritual. The questions- what if, could it, what/how about, why not, etcetera I’ll continue to mull over them. Oh yes I cannot leave out feedback and comments  from wonderful listeners directly to me or virtually through social media have helped a great deal.

This has been my experience so far hosting Joy Midday News. The learning process can't really ever stop. But like enthusiastic Asamoah Gyan, no matter your previous experience, no matter how bad your day was, you have to get up and get ready to take that penalty again.

Thanks to God, my family, team Joy and you- I will take today's penalty too. Xoxo

Francisca Kakra Forson (francisca.forson@myjoyonline.com)